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 Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen, Carrybridge and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

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 or by email.

The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland