Margate RNLI rescue London couple – and their picnic
Margate’s RNLI inshore lifeboat has rescued two people who were cut off by the rising tide and stranded on a cliff ledge to the east of Margate.
UK Coastguard received a 999 call around 9.30am today (Friday 17 July) stating a male and female couple had been cut off by the tide and were on rocks in a small cove at Botany Bay around two miles east of Margate. The town’s RNLI inshore lifeboat was tasked to assist along with Margate coastguard rescue team.
When the lifeboat arrived on scene, they found a couple balanced precariously on a cliff ledge above the rocks which were being quickly covered by the incoming tide, an RNLI lifeguard from Botany Bay was also seen to be approaching on their rescue board.
The couple, who were visiting the area from London for a picnic were plucked from the ledge into the safety of the lifeboat and landed into the care of Botany Bay lifeguards and the coastguard rescue team who provided safety advice. The couple’s picnic was reported to have survived the ordeal undamaged.
The couple had attempted to escape the cut off bay by climbing along the cliff face only to find themselves stranded above the rocks awash by the incoming tide.
Ian Lowe, Deputy Launching Authority, Margate RNLI said: ‘Before visiting the coast, visitors are advised to check the tide times, look up local information on the beach they intend to visit by going to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches and swim only at lifeguarded beaches and ask the lifeguards for advice on local hazards’
Notes to editors
· Margate lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/margate-lifeboat-station
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