Walmer RNLI launched to assist cabin cruiser in difficulty.

Walmer's Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan launched at 5.05pm on 30 January in response to a request from UK Coastguard to assist the cabin cruiser Galeon with two people on board which had reported a loss of power near the Sandettié lightvessel.

Dover lifeboat were initially tasked with the rescue but were redirected to an incident off Folkestone Pier.

Dover Coastguard reported that Galeon had regained power in one engine and were trying to make passage to Dover. On reaching the vessel Walmer crew member James Foster was put aboard to attach a tow line. Dover's lifeboat arrived on scene to take over the tow putting two crew members aboard. Donald McLachlan remained alongside until all three vessels had safely crossed the shipping lane.

Walmer were released at 7.15pm and arrived back on station at 7.40pm.

Speaking on their return helmsman Dan Sinclair said 'This launch was a good learning experience for the crew, navigating in the dark across one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.'

RNLI media contacts

• Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station 07906 623037 [email protected]

• Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825, [email protected]

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

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.