15 Years later and 1500 shouts for Gravesend RNLI
In the early hours of Monday morning (1 May) the charities lifeboat launched to its 1500 call, with this year being their 15-year anniversary.
Following the Marchioness tragedy, the Thames safety inquiry conducted by Lord Justice Clarke recommended, among other things, a dedicated search and rescue service on the tidal reaches of the River Thames.
Gravesend has been home to a RNLI station since January 2, 2002, during which time it has launched 1500 times, rescued 797 people and saved 69 lives.
None of this could happen without the legacy left by Olive Laura Deare which funded our first and our current lifeboat and the generous donations from the public.
Thanks to all of our partner agencies who we work with on the river and along the shore. Who include the UK Coastguard, Port of London Authority, Metropolitan Police, Kent Police, Essex Police, London Fire Brigade, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, London Ambulance Service, South East Coast Ambulance Service, East of England Ambulance Service and many more. Working together, saving lives.
Thanks for everyone's support and to many more years serving our communities along the River Thames.
Keep up to date with all our rescues and what were up to here:
Facebook: /GravesendRNLI
Twitter: @GravesendRNLI
Notes to editors
Gravesend is one of four lifeboat stations on the River Thames that are operated by the RNLI. Gravesend Lifeboat covers an area from Holehaven, at the western end of Canvey Island, to the Thames Flood Barrier at Woolwich, a distance of 26 miles. A patch which covers Kent, Essex and South London.
RNLI media contacts
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Alan Carr, Gravesend RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
07775 822584, [email protected] -
Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East)
0207 6207416 / 07786 668825, [email protected]
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Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East)
0207 6207426 / 07785 296252, [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
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 by email.