Around 3.30pm today (Wednesday 22 July) UK Coastguard took a call from a member of the public reporting possibly seeing a para-glider land in the sea off St Mildred’s Bay, Westgate-on-sea. Margate’s coastguard rescue team was dispatched to investigate and although the first informant could no longer be contacted a number of objects were seen floating offshore but could not be identified.
Margate’s RNLI inshore lifeboat was tasked to investigate further and once on scene and guided by coastguard officers ashore identified the objects as large accumulations of seaweed, helium balloons and floating timber. A search of the area was carried out and several small craft spoken to. With no further information or reports of anyone missing from the aviation authorities the search was terminated, the call considered a false alarm with good intent.
Peter Barker, Deputy Launching Authority, Margate RNLI said: ‘We are always grateful when people report anything they see that may be untoward on the coastline or at sea. Para-gliders are to be seen in the area occasionally and we would rather investigate a false alarm than an uncertain sighting be ignored. For coastal emergencies dial 999 and ask for coastguard.’
• Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (SouthEast), 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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.
