Early hours callout for the Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat crew
Sheerness inshore lifeboat crew were called out to assist in a multi-agency search for a person reported to be in the river at Rochester
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat ‘Buster’ launched at 1.28am on Saturday 14 December after being tasked by the UK Coastguard to reports that a person was in the water between Rochester Bridge and the M2 bridge at Rochester.
The lifeboat arrived on the scene at 2.08am and immediately commenced a search of the area. Teams from the Medway and Sheppey Coastguard Rescue Teams were in attendance and began a search of the shoreline. A short while later the Coastguard helicopter from Lydd along with teams from Kent Fire and Rescue and Kent Search and Rescue were on scene and joined the search.
Further information was received from Kent Police at 4.22am, following which the search was terminated and all rescue teams were stood down.
The ILB returned to station at 5.00am following a ‘bumpy’ and wet ride back to station with winds blowing WSW force 6 and heavy rain. After refuelling and hosing down ‘Buster’ was ready for service again at 5.30am
RNLI media contacts
Vic.Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness)
tel.01795 880544.mob.0796904453 email. [email protected]
Paul Dunt RNLI Press Officer (South East)
tel.07785 296252, 0207 6207426 [email protected]
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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