Drifting dinghies investigated by Margate’s RNLI lifeboat crew
Margate’s RNLI inshore lifeboat has been in action following reports of drifting dinghies off Palm Bay, Cliftonville.
The alert was raised around 5pm this evening when UK Coastguard received a report of a drifting dinghy off Palm Bay around half a mile to the east of Margate. The town’s RNLI inshore lifeboat was tasked to investigate along with Margate coastguard rescue team (CRT).
The CRT was quickly on scene where two occupants of the dinghy were observed to have reached the safety of rocks, two others were still in the dinghy and as they had not reached shore the lifeboat continued to the scene to provide any assistance that may be required.
Around the same time UK Coastguard received a further 999-call reporting an inflatable dinghy being ‘flipped over’ in the wind further offshore and close to the Longnose buoy off Foreness Point. While the lifeboat was carrying out a search of the immediate area it was established that this second dinghy was related to the first casualty and all occupants accounted for. The lifeboat was released and returned to station.
ENDS
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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