Dungeness lifeboat tasked to red flare sightings in Rye Bay area

A search area was set up from the Dungeness Point to the Rye Harbour entrance. Deputy second coxswain Steve Cardew, in command of the RNLI Shannon class lifeboat 13-02 “The Morrell’ and her volunteer crew proceeded to let off white parachute flares to illuminate the area but nothing was seen. The lifeboat moved to within half a mile off Rye Harbour and again nothing at all could be seen.

The UK coastguard finally released the lifeboat and her volunteers to return to Dungeness.

The lifeboat was re-carriaged, refuelled and made ready for service by 2.45am. Deputy second coxswain Cardew said ‘If anyone sees a red flare then please report to the coastguard, it’s always better to be safe than sorry’

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]

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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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