Hovercraft called to assist after a yacht is reported aground
Sheerness and Southend RNLI lifeboat stations joined forces to look for a yacht reported aground in the Medway estuary.
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat launched at 5.44pm on Wednesday 29 August after a call from the UK Coastguard reported that a craft had been reported aground on Nore Marsh in the Medway estuary and that concerns had been raised that there were possibly persons involved.
The ILB was on the scene at 6.14pm and two crew members attempted to walk across to the island but were unable to proceed due to the depth of the mud.
After discussion with the UK Coastguard the decision was made to task the Southend hovercraft H004 ‘Vera Ravine’ to assist in accessing the island.
Once on the scene two crew members from the Sheerness lifeboat transferred to the hovercraft and were then safely landed ashore on the island at 7.23pm.
After finding and checking the craft it was found to be in a derelict state and had obviously been there some time.
With no persons involved or at risk the lifeboats were stood down and returned to station at 8.05pm
Wind NNW force 2
Ends
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