Sheerness RNLI lifeboat called to a yacht in trouble in the Thames estuary

The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI all weather lifeboat ‘The George and Ivy Swanson’ launched at 4.36pm on Monday 14 August after a call from the UK Coastguard reported that a 36 foot yacht called ‘Bandita’ had called for help after suffering engine failure in the Thames estuary.

The ferro cement constructed craft with a man and a woman on board was found by the crew at anchor two miles north of the lifeboat station at 4.50pm close to the Mid Swatch Buoy off Grain Edge.

A tow line was attached and the vessel, which had been on route from Benfleet in Essex to Newhaven, was taken to a safe mooring in Queenborough Harbour.

The ALB returned to station at 5.55pm.

Ends

Media Contacts

RNLI media contacts

Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 [email protected] / [email protected]

Paul Dunt RNLI Press Officer S.E. [email protected] 07786668825

Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

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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 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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