Lifeboat launched after a reported sighting of a drifting canoe
Sheerness RNLI all weather lifeboat launched in rough seas after a canoe was reported drifting eight miles off Sheppey
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI all weather lifeboat ‘The George and Ivy Swanson’ launched at 11.05 am on Friday 8 December after a call from the UK Coastguard reported that a small canoe had been seen adrift in the area of the Oaze Buoy, some eight nautical miles from the lifeboat station in the Thames estuary.
Having made best speed to the area in rough seas with the wind blowing WNW force 7 the ALB carried out two extensive search patterns but found nothing untoward.
With no further information available the ALB was stood down at 1.30pm, arriving back on station at 1.50pm and was ready for service after refuelling and cleaning at 2.37pm
Ends
Media contacts:
Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 [email protected]
Paul Dunt RNLI Press Officer S.E. [email protected] 07785296252
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 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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