Whitstable lifeboat launched after concerns for persons attempting a dog rescue
The Whitstable RNLI lifeboat Lewisco was launched on Thursday afternoon after concerns where raised over people attempting to reach the Oyster Company racks offshore from Whitstable in an attempt to rescue a dog.
The dog had run out across the mud flats and was now swimming out to sea after he escaped from his owner in the town centre.
Whitstable lifeboat operations manager Mike Judge said 'The lifeboat was launched to after the coastguard received several 999 calls reporting the ongoing incident with people attempting to reach the dog to provide safety cover'
'Once it had been established that the dog had been picked up by a passing Whitstable Boat Trips vessel and that all persons had returned to shore the lifeboat returned to station'.
Other calls since last weekend have been, on Monday 10th at 5.47pm the lifeboat was launched following a report of two persons in the water near the Whitstable Street. The lifeboat 'stood down' after persons on the beach confirmed that they were safe ashore.
Lewisco was launched at 5.45pm on Tuesday 11th following a report of an overdue swimmer east of Herne Bay harbour.
The lifeboat arrived at the scene but was 'stood down' when it was confirmed by the swimmers wife that the 59-year old' who had been missing for 40-minutes was safe onshore.
On Wednesday lifeboat crews responded to a launch request following a report of a swimmer possibly in difficulties 100-metres offshore to the west of the Whitstable Street. The lifeboat arrived at the scene and located a swimmer who was not in any difficulties and happy to continue with his swim.
There have now been 45 calls so far this year for the Whitstable lifeboat and the volunteer crews.
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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.