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Two Calls for Whitstable Lifeboat

Lifeboats News Release

Whitstable's Atlantic 85 Lifeboat Lewisco was launched at 1.26pm on Monday following a report of an upturned dinghy off Herne Bay.

The badly damaged speedboat after it was towed ashore by the Whitstable Lifeboat on Monday afternoon. Picture: Tim Smith/RNLI Whitstable.

Tim Smith/RNLI Whitstable.

The badly damaged speedboat after it was towed ashore by the Whitstable Lifeboat on Monday afternoon. Picture: Tim Smith/RNLI Whitstable.
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The lifeboat crew located a partially submerged speedboat drifting a 1/2-mile off the Neptune Jetty. Only part of the foredeck was above the water.

As the crew were unable to inspect the craft for signs of recent occupation the still submerged vessel was towed ashore for further investigation and landed ashore at the Neptune Jetty into the care of the Herne Bay Coastal Rescue Team.

There was extensive damage to the craft and it was later confirmed by Dover Coastguard that the vessel had collided with a submerged object the previous day (Sunday) and all occupants had been accounted for.

The lifeboat was launched for a second time at 7.29pm to assist the two occupants of an 9-foot inflatable dinghy with a broken down outboard engine a 1/2-mile of Leysdown, Isle of Sheppey. They were unable to make their way back to the shore.

The lifeboat came alongside the craft and the vessel and its occupants brought onboard the lifeboat and returned to the shore where relatives were waiting.

There were no injuries to either of those in the dinghy.

Whitstable Lifeboat comes alongside the 9-foot dinghy and it's two occupants after the craft's engine broke down off Leysdown, Isle of Sheppey on Monday evening. Picture: RNLI Whitstable.

RNLI Whitstable.

Whitstable Lifeboat comes alongside the 9-foot dinghy and it's two occupants after the craft's engine broke down off Leysdown, Isle of Sheppey on Monday evening. Picture: RNLI Whitstable.
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Lewisco, Whitstable's Atlantic 85 Lifeboat.

RNLI/Chris Davey

Lewisco, Whitstable's Atlantic 85 Lifeboat.
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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.

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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.

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