Three launches for Whitstable RNLI Lifeboat

On Thursday afternoon at 3.07 the lifeboat responded to a report of two children aged 13-years being blown seawards in an inflatable beach toy off Leysdown, Isle of Sheppey.

The lifeboat arrived 'on scene' however there was no sign of the children so the crew commenced a search towards Warden Bay, before being stood down when the coastguard reported that the children were now safely ashore.

Two further calls for the lifeboat came on Saturday when it was launched at 11.10 am to a person in the water who had become separated form a jet ski off the King's Hall, Herne Bay. On arrival at the scene the Herne Bay Mobile Coastguard Team reported that the occupant of the jet ski was now ashore however the craft itself was still 1-mile offshore.

The lifeboat located the jet ski and took it under tow for the ramp in Herne Bay harbour.

The lifeboat was launched for the second time on Saturday when at 1.06pm the crew responded to a report of a windsurfer in difficulties off Long Beach, Whitstable. The lifeboat located the casualty along with a second windsurfer who had remained with windsurfer who was brought onboard the lifeboat. The second windsurfer returned to shore whilst the lifeboat recovered the casualties board from a 1/2-mile offshore. The male casualty and his board were landed ashore at the lifeboat station. He was not in need of any medical assistance.

Weather conditions at the time of both incidents on Saturday were south westerly force 6-8 winds with rough seas and a swell of 1-2 metres.

RNLI media contacts

• Chris Davey, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Whitstable Lifeboat Station.
  07741 012004/ [email protected]

• Paul Dunt RNLI Press Officer London/southeast/east Tel: 0207 6207416 Mob: 07785 296252 [email protected]

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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