Walton and Frinton RNLI launched to assist with the search for upturned dinghy

Reports had been made to Dover coastguard by a passing ship that a small dinghy was upturned 21 miles East of the Lifeboat Station in the vicinity of the traffic separation scheme. With Rescue 163 heading to the scene, the Tamar all-weather Lifeboat (ALB) made best possible speed to assist with the search.

As the volunteer crew onboard the ALB approached the scene Rescue 163 reported that they had located the upturned dinghy and dropped a location flare to guide the Lifeboat in. With the dinghy recovered onboard Dover Coastguard request that the crew undertake a search of the area.

With the search completed and Dover coastguard satisfied that the area had been extensively covered, with no further information coming forward the crew were stood down and allowed to return to station.

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.