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Lifeboat launched to rescue a man in a small dinghy

Lifeboats News Release

Sheerness RNLI lifeboat was launched after a man in a small inflatable dinghy got into trouble off Minster Leas on the Isle of Sheppey

The volunteer crew of the Sheerness inshore lifeboat launched at 6.23pm on Tuesday 19 June after a call from the UK Coastguard reported that a man in a very small inflatable dinghy was in trouble off The Leas at Minster.

Making best speed to the area the lifeboat crew found the casualty approximately half a mile offshore and drifting further out to sea after the engine on his tiny inflatable dinghy had failed and he was unable to row against the fresh south westerly breeze.

The man was taken onboard the lifeboat and with his craft under tow he was landed at the Shingle Bank, Minster where the Sheppey Coastguard Rescue Team were on hand to offer some strong words relating to safety at sea.

The lifeboat was back on station and ready for service again at 7.30pm.

Wind SW force four to five.

Ends

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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