Early morning rescue by Sheerness RNLI lifeboat crew

The volunteer crew of the Sheerness inshore lifeboat ‘Buster’ launched at 4.50am on Monday 22 October after a call from the UK Coastguard reported that a 25-year-old woman in an extremely distressed state was in the water at Sheerness close to K’s Casino on Sheerness Broadway.

Having made best speed to the scene the lifeboat crew were guided towards the lady’s position by the Sheppey Coastguard Rescue Team, who had also been mobilised, from the shore.

The crew found the casualty, who was now out of her depth and kept disappearing under the water, about 50 meters from the shore.

With no other options available a crewman from the ILB entered the water and grabbed the lady who was then taken onboard the lifeboat and rapidly transported to the beach where first aid was administered in the Coastguard rescue vehicle whilst awaiting an Ambulance.

It is believed the lady had been in the water for more than 30 minutes and apart from being very distressed was extremely cold and blue and definitely would not have survived much longer without the rapid response from the emergency crews involved.

Ends

Media contacts:

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

Paul Dunt RNLI Press Officer S.E. [email protected] 07786668825

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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