Dungeness lifeboat diverted from training exercise to look for a swimmer

Once in the search area, Second Coxswain Trevor Bunney in command of the RNLI Shannon class lifeboat 13-02 ‘The Morrell’ and her volunteer crew together with Littlestone RNLI lifeboat who was also on scene did a quick search along the shore but no one was sighted. A parallel search with the two RNLI lifeboats was set up from Hythe to Folkestone Harbour but again nothing was found.

The UK coastguard decided to stand both lifeboats down. Dungeness RNLI lifeboat returned to station, refuelled and was ready for service by 9.20pm.

RNLI media contacts

• Judith Richardson – Dungeness RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
  Tel: 01797 320062/Mob: 07859264226
• Email: [email protected]
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/South East/East)
  0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 / [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) 020 7620 7416/ 07786 66882 [email protected]

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.