Busy weekend for Margate’s RNLI inshore lifeboat

The first call came on Saturday afternoon when a speedboat with three persons including a child on board contacted the UK Coastguard by mobile phone reporting they had run out of fuel and required assistance off the coast of Margate. The inshore lifeboat was tasked to assist and after establishing the occupants were safe and well the craft was towed back to its launch site at Palm Bay.

Twenty-four hours later the inshore lifeboat was called out again following a report that a kayaker had fallen from his craft off Walpole Bay Cliftonville and had become separated from it. The coastguard rescue helicopter from Lydd airfield and local coastguard rescue team were also tasked.

Following a search of the areas where the lifeboat found the flooded kayak it was established that the occupant had managed to make his own way ashore. Once confirmed that everyone was accounted for the search units were stood down.

Peter Barker, deputy launching authority Margate lifeboat said: ‘With the arrival of spring people’s thoughts are turning to enjoying some leisure time on the water. We urge everyone to make sure they are well equipped with safety equipment and importantly plan their adventure. Further information is available from the safety section of the RNLI’s website.’

ENDS

RNLI Media contacts

• Peter Barker, RNLI Margate Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07974 064304 peter_barker@rnli.org.uk

• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 tim_ash@rnli.org.uk

• 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 over 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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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