‘Mary Poppins’ refuses to move from Dead Man’s Island for the Sheerness RNLI lif
Sheerness RNLI lifeboat crew were unable to tow a yacht to safety after it ran aground in the Medway estuary
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat ‘Buster’ launched at 3.19pm on Sunday 8 October after a call from the UK Coastguard reported that a 22-foot yacht the ‘Mary Poppins’ with two men on board was hard aground on top of Dead Man’s Island in the Medway estuary close to Queenborough Harbour.
Whilst attempting to motor their yacht into the harbour in the early hours of Sunday morning on the high spring tide the craft had run hard aground on Dead Man’s Island which is close to the entrance to Queenborough harbour but some way from the deep-water access.
The ILB crew quickly located the craft and after having attached a tow line several attempts were made to pull the craft into deeper water without success. Even with assistance from a passing Sheerness Port workboat further attempts to refloat the craft were also unsuccessful.
Due to the rapidly falling tide the decision was taken by the ILB crew to secure the yacht with an anchor and abandon any further recovery attempts.
The two men were taken off their yacht and ferried to Queenborough Harbour where they were landed ashore.
Weather conditions at the time were excellent with a NW wind blowing force 3
The ILB returned to station at 4.45pm
It is believed the men will make their own arrangements to attempt to refloat the yacht on the next high tide.
Ends
Media Contacts
RNLI media contacts
Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 [email protected] / [email protected]
Paul Dunt RNLI Press Officer S.E. [email protected] 07786668825
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