Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat assists a jet skier in difficulties

The volunteer crew of the Sheerness inshore lifeboat ‘Buster’ were called by the UK Coastguard to reports of a jet ski in trouble whilst they were out on exercise at the Cars on the Prom event at Minster Leas on Sunday 23 July.

The call came at 1.33pm and the ILB immediately proceeded to look for the Jet Ski with one man on board, reported to be mid way between Leysdown and Whitstable. With the only communication to the casualty by mobile phone it was not possible to pinpoint the exact location but the casualty was found at 2.02pm close to the Oyster Buoy, off Whitstable.

The jet skier was taken on board the ILB and a tow line was attached to his craft.

The Sheerness crew then requested that the Whitstable RNLI lifeboat be called to take over the tow, which it did at 2.19pm.

The ILB then returned to station through The Swale and was back on station at 3.35pm.

The ILB was called out again at 4.17am on Monday 25 July after a request from the UK Coastguard for the crew to proceed to the Ship Pier at Rochester to stand by whilst Kent Police and the Medway Coastguard team were dealing with an incident involving a very distressed person (gender unknown)at the pier.

The lifeboat crew were stood down at 4.39am when it was reported the person was now safe and in the care of the police team.

The ILB was back on station at 4.58am

Ends

Media contacts:

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

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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