Two more launches end a busy weekend for the Sheerness RNLI lifeboats
The Sheerness RNLI volunteers were called out on two further occasions over the weekend making a total of five launches in just over two days
The Sheerness inshore lifeboat ‘Buster’ launched at 11.24am on Sunday 5 August to reports of a 28foot motor cruiser with three people on board that had run aground on Queenborough Spit in the Medway Estuary. Due to the ebbing tide it was not possible to re-float the craft so the crew made the craft secure and then landed the three occupants at Queenborough Harbour where they could then plan to re-float their craft on the flood tide.The lifeboat was back on station at 12.15pm
The volunteer crew of the all-weather lifeboat ‘The George and Ivy Swanson’ were called out by the UK Coastguard to reports of an eight-meter fishing boat that was taking on water near the Kentish Flats wind farm.
The lifeboat launched at 3.30am on Monday 6 August and having made best speed to the area the casualty with two men onboard was quickly located.
The fishing boat was taking on water from a burst cooling pipe and once the engine was shut down the water ingress stopped. With the aid of the lifeboat salvage pump and its own bilge pump the craft was pumped dry and then taken under tow to Whitstable Harbour where it was secured at 5.45am.
The ALB was back on station and ready for service again at 7.00am
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] 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 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
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