Sheerness RNLI lifeboats launched to search for a small boat
Both RNLI lifeboats from Sheerness were called out to search for a dinghy seen drifting in the Thames estuary
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat Buster launched at 6.26pm on Saturday 7 April after a call from the UK Coastguard reported that a red dinghy had been spotted drifting approximately one mile north of Allhallows in the Thames estuary.
The ILB commenced a search of the area given and also further Eastwards.
With the onset of darkness, the incident was escalated by the UK Coastguard who asked that the Sheerness all weather lifeboat, The George and Ivy Swanson, be launched which it did at 8.13pm and commenced a search further Eastwards between the Great Nore 5 anchorage and Shoebury Beacon.
Teams from Sheppey, Medway and Southend Coastguard Rescue units plus a UK Border Force RHIB were also involved in the search.
An extensive search was made by the all-weather lifeboat with nothing untoward found. In the meantime, the crew of the inshore lifeboat carried out a search of the Medway Channel again with nothing found.
At 1026pm all units were stood down after more information from the UK Coastguard reported the dinghy as being further North.
Both lifeboats returned to station and were ready for service again at 11.13pm.
Later unconfirmed reports stated that a red dinghy had been found washed up at Shoeburyness on the Essex coast.
Ends
Media contacts:
Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 [email protected]
Paul Dunt RNLI Press Officer S.E. [email protected] 07785296252
For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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