Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat launched to assist a small hovercraft
The Sheerness inshore lifeboat was called to assist a small hovercraft that had lost power in The Swale.
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat ‘Buster’ launched at 3.10pm on Tuesday 28 November after a call for assistance from the UK Coastguard reporting that a small hovercraft with one man on board was in trouble between Ridham Dock and the Kingsferry Bridge in the Swale.
The ILB located the casualty at 3.23pm aground on a mud bank and unable to move after suffering power failure to its lift motor.
The lifeboat crew decided to wait for the flood tide to refloat the hovercraft, with this being achieved at 4.03pm.
The craft was then towed to the launching ramp at Kingsferry where the Sheppey Coastguard Rescue team were in attendance.
With the occupant of the hovercraft needing no medical assistance the ILB was released and back on station at 4.36pm.
Weather conditions at the time were fair with wind NW force 3 to 4.
This was the 70th call so far, this year for ‘Buster’ and the ILB volunteers.
Ends
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Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 [email protected] / [email protected]
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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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