Sheerness RNLI lifeboat crew called to assist the ‘Mary Celeste’

The volunteer crew of the Sheerness all weather lifeboat The George and Ivy Swanson’ launched at 2.00pm after a call from the UK Coastguard reported that a 40-foot steel hulled yacht the Mary Celeste had broken adrift from its mooring between Gillingham Marina and Gillingham Dock.

The decision to launch the ALB (all-weather lifeboat) was taken due to the atrocious weather conditions prevailing at the time with westerly winds blowing force 7 and gusting force 10.

Having located the craft with one man on board, the ALB stood by whilst the crew of the Kent Police RHIB Sea Horse, who were also in attendance, re- secured the craft on its mooring.

The ALB was back on station and ready for service at 4.06pm.

Ends

RNLI media contacts

Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 [email protected] / [email protected]

Paul Dunt RNLI Regional Media Officer London and South East [email protected] 07785296252

For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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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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