A call for help interrupted the Sheerness RNLI family BBQ

The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI all weather lifeboat ‘The George and Ivy Swanson’ launched at 4.26pm on Sunday 6 August after a call from the UK Coastguard reported that a 17 tonne twin engine cruiser ‘Milford Sound’ had run aground in the Medway estuary.

The cruiser with two people and their dog on board was located at 4.44pm hard aground on a muddy outcrop in Sharfleet Creek.

Due to the low water conditions the ALB crew were unable to assist the stranded couple but advised them of the safest route to take to get themselves out of their predicament when the tidal conditions were right, approximately six hours later.

The couple stated that they were happy to stay onboard their vessel and wait for the tide to float them off.

The ALB returned to station at 5.08 pm after advising the couple to contact the UK Coastguard if they experienced any further difficulties.

Having made the lifeboat ready for launching again the crew were then able to rejoin their families and other crew members back at the BBQ

Ends

RNLI media contacts

Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 vic_booth@rnli.org.uk

Paul Dunt RNLI Press Officer S.E. paul_dunt@rnli.org.uk 07786668825

• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 tim_ash@rnli.org.uk

For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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