Ramsgate RNLI rescues two cut off at the bottom of cliffs by spring tides.
A morning stroll nearly ended in disaster for two ladies cut off by an unusually high incoming tide in the Stone Bay area of Broadstairs.
On Monday 30 September, Ramsgate RNLI received a call from HM Coastguard at 11.45am to go to the aid of two ladies trapped by an incoming tide at the foot of the cliffs by Stone Bay, Broadstairs.
The inshore lifeboat Clare and David Delves launched with four volunteer crew and with time being of the essence due to extremely high spring tides sped off to their assistance.
On scene the crew found the ladies pressed up against the foot of the cliffs and already standing in water with no means of getting to higher ground. The volunteer crew attempted to get in close twice, but found the anchor would not hold, so it was decided to get the boat in as close as possible and put a crew member in the water who then made his way to the casualties.
Once the ladies were fitted with lifejackets the inshore lifeboat made a second approach allowing one lady to make her way to the boat with the assistance of the crewman who was in the water. The crewman then returned to shore and repeated the procedure with the second lady and assisted her onto the waiting lifeboat.
The inshore lifeboat then returned to Ramsgate RNLI station with the two cold, and wet women onboard where they were able to get out of their wet clothes and dry themselves. They were then given thermal jumpsuits to put on, which are usually worn under the crews own kit, and a warming cup of tea whilst their clothes were drying in the station dryer.
A very close call, on a day with particularly high tides due to a stronger gravitational pull caused by the Moon being aligned with the Sun and the Earth. These conditions are expected to continue for a few more days so the advice from the RNLI is to always check the tides and always carry a means of communication with you when enjoying our coast line.
Ramsgate Coxswain Ian Cannon said: 'All around our beautiful coastline there are areas that get cut off by the tides, and the area from Stone Bay to Kingsgate is notorious for catching people out with incoming tides, with our volunteer crew being called out to many rescues in that area. Please always carry a fully charged phone with you, and if there is a problem, or you see someone in danger then call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'
Media contacts:
Karen Cox Lifeboat Press Officer: Contact details email [email protected], telephone 07779848431.
Paul Dunt RNLI Regional Media Officer London and South East. Email [email protected] Telephone 07785296262, 01202 336789.
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