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
RNLI media contacts
Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 vic.booth111@btinternet.com / vic_booth@rnli.org.uk
Paul Dunt RNLI Press Officer S.E. paul_dunt@rnli.org.uk 07785296252
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.