Report of a body sparks Walmer RNLI lifeboat launch
Walmer RNLI's Atlantic lifeboat launched yesterday afternoon (Sunday 13 August) after someone on a cross channel ferry spotted a body drifting 10 miles south east of Deal.
The volunteer crew of Walmer’s lifeboat were requested to launch at 4.42pm after a cross channel Delft Seaways ferry, en route to Dunkirk, reported to Dover Coastguard that a person's body had been seen floating mid channel.
The ferry stood by the casualty while a UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter dropped smoke canisters to help with positioning. Dover RNLI lifeboat were also on scene having launched earlier.
The Walmer crew eventually recovered the body 10 miles south east of Deal. The lifeboat returned to Dover at 5.55pm where the body was passed to the police and coroner.
Walmer RNLI helm Dan Sinclair praised the professionalism of his crew Ed Benson, Andrew Coe and Luke Curry who carried out their duties in extremely difficult circumstances.
RNLI media contacts
- Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station (07906) 623037 [email protected]
- Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825, [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
Key facts about the RNLI
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 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 146,000 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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