Two people cut off by the tide rescued by RNLI Lifeboat crew.
A young couple were taken to safety after becoming cut off by the incoming tide whilst exploring Grain Fort in the Medway estuary.
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness inshore lifeboat were tasked by the UK Coastguard at 4.18pm on Saturday 30 May 2020 to reports of two people cut off by the tide on Grain Fort, Isle of Grain.
The lifeboat launched at 4.33pm with a crew of three and arrived at the fort, which is directly opposite the Lifeboat station across the estuary, at 4.37pm.
The young couple were taken onboard the lifeboat with the crew wearing the required PPE whilst observing all RNLI Covid-19 protocols where possible in the circumstances.
With weather and tidal conditions unsuitable to be able to take the couple ashore at Grain the decision was made to take them back to the Lifeboat station where they could be picked up by a relative.
Having arrived back at the boathouse at 4.47pm the two were landed safely ashore where they were given safety advice which hopefully they will remember.
Whilst the crew were preparing to lift the ILB from the water a further call came in at 5.00pm from the UK Coastguard with reports of a Jet Skier overdue in returning back to the Shingle Bank, Minster on Sea
With the crew onboard a search was immediately commenced in the area from Garrison Point towards Minster Beach. A further call from the Coastguard at 5.18pm reported that the Jet skier had now returned and the ILB could stand down.
Back on station at 5.30pm the lifeboat was re-fuelled, cleaned down and made ready for further service.
Wind E force 4 to 5,good visibility and slight seas.
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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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