Ramsgate's three 'shouts' in a day.

The first call was at 10.03am when the inshore lifeboat (ILB) was launched at the request of the UK Coastguard to a 8.5m. yacht aground in the River Stour entrance off Ramsgate's Pegwell Bay. Once on scene the crew aboard the ILB were unable to get close to the casualty, due to the lack of water in an ebbing tide, and after having checked with the two people on board the yacht, who were wearing lifejackets and were happy to stay aboard, returned to station to await the rising tide.

At 5.36pm the ILB launched again at the request of UK Coastguard to the yacht as the tide was rising enough for it to re-float. Once on scene one of the ILB crew went aboard the casualty to assist with lifting its anchor. The casualty was then towed into deeper water, where it intended to make its own way up river. Almost immediately the yacht's engine failed so the ILB crew safely towed it up the River Stour to a safe berth and then returned to station.

At 11.01pm the all weather RNLI lifeboat was launched, again at the request of the UK Coastguard following their receipt of a 'Pan' radio message, to a 12m. yacht with three people on board 10 miles east of Ramsgate. The yacht, which had lost engine power in light winds, was safely towed into Ramsgate Harbour with the lifeboat crew stood down at 2.30am.

RNLI media contacts

• John Ray, Volunteer RNLI Press Officer, Ramsgate on 07759 480825 [email protected]
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

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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.