Derelict dinghy recovered by Margate RNLI
Margate RNLI has investigated a report of a drifting dinghy off the north Kent coast making four calls in five days for the volunteer crew
UK Coastguard was contacted by the crew of a tanker at anchor in Margate Roads anchorage, around one mile north of the town at lunchtime today (Wednesday 24 July) reporting that they could see a small dinghy adrift.
With no signs of life visible and concern that someone may be in the dinghy, Margate’s RNLI inshore lifeboat was tasked to investigate. Once on scene it was established the dinghy was derelict with no recent signs of occupation. The dinghy was towed back to Margate harbour by the inshore lifeboat to avoid it being reported again.
Paul Hodson, Lifeboat Operations Manager, Margate Lifeboat said: “There is always the possibility that someone may have been fishing from the dinghy and either fell overboard or was unconscious in the bottom of the boat. It probably broke adrift from moorings but it is important to check all possibilities and while a false alarm these are never wasted calls.”
ENDS
RNLI Media contacts
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Peter Barker, RNLI Margate Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07974 064304 [email protected]
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Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (SouthEast), 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 [email protected]
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