Lifeboats involved in a four-hour search off the Sheppey coastline
Both the Sheerness RNLI lifeboats were called out to search for a jet-ski reported to be in trouble off the Isle of Sheppey
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat ‘Buster’ launched at 10.05pm on Monday 27 May after being tasked by the UK Coastguard to reports of a jet-ski with engine problems off the eastern end of Minster Leas. The call-out was initiated after a member of the public had called in to report that a jet-ski sounded to be in difficulty somewhere below the cliffs at the end of The Leas.
Having arrived in the area the ILB commenced a search along the shoreline and surrounding area but with nothing found after an hour the decision was made to launch the all-weather lifeboat, ’The George and Ivy Swanson', so that the search area could be widened.
The ALB commenced an extended search down to the Spile buoy off Warden point. With assistance from the ILB searching close to the shore the all-weather lifeboat carried out a full North to South search extending to nine one mile legs each way.
With nothing untoward found both lifeboats were stood down at 2.05am and having returned to station were ready for service again at 2.30am.
Ends
Media contacts:
• Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 [email protected] / [email protected]
Paul Dunt RNLI Press Officer S.E. [email protected] 07785296252
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 33678
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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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