Margate RNLI assists stranded fishing vessel

The alert was raised around 2pm when a small fishing vessel with two people on board contacted UK Coastguard requesting assistance. The vessel had encountered engine failure while on passage from Ramsgate to the Medway and was subsequently washed ashore close to the swimming pool at Walpole Bay to the east of the lifeboat station.

Due to the size of the vessel and possibly requiring assistance in refloating, Margate’s all-weather and inshore lifeboats were both launched to assist. Margate Coastguard Coast Rescue Team was also tasked to the scene.

Once the lifeboats arrived on scene it was established that the casualty vessel was well aground on a falling tide. The occupants had made their way ashore and were checked out by the coastguard team who found them all to be safe and well.

As the fishing vessel would soon be high and dry and no further assistance could be provided both lifeboats were recalled and returned to station.

Ian Lowe, Deputy Launching Authority, Margate RNLI said: “This is a timely reminder of the importance of wearing a lifejacket when going afloat, having a marine VHF radio to contact the coastguard and also ensuring the craft is up to scratch mechanically.”

ENDS

RNLI Media contacts

• Peter Barker, RNLI Margate Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07974 064304 peter_barker@rnli.org.uk

• Oliver Wrynne-Simpson, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 O_Wrynne-Simpson@rnli.org.uk for enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen, Carrybridge and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

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