Multiple taskings for Walmer volunteers

An initial paging at 12.49 pm yesterday, Friday 26 June, launched Walmer’s Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan to an incident near the South West Goodwin buoy and led to a re-tasking to two people on a coastal walk from Dover on the rocks and cut off by the rising tide at Samphire Hoe. The casualties were located with help from the Coastguard helicopter which hovered above them until the lifeboat arrived. Crew checked their well-being and they were handed casualty lifejackets before being taken to Dover Harbour and put ashore at Dover lifeboat station.

Walmer’s D Class inshore lifeboat Duggie Rodbard II later launched after a further paging from HM Coastguard to an inflatable drifting with the strong tide just off the lifeboat station. First reports suggested that there was a person in the water alongside. On retrieving a ring, a shoreline enquiry was made by both the lifeboat and shore crew to try to locate the owner. The ring remained unclaimed.

As the boat was about to return the crew’s attention was diverted to a kayak containing two people struggling to get to shore. This was towed and the two kayakers were put safely ashore near the old Kingsdown lifeboat station. While making their way back to the station crew gave advice to several swimmers, kayakers and paddleboarders about the importance of wearing appropriate safety equipment.

Notes to editors

Walmer lifeboat station was established in1856.

It currently operates two inshore lifeboats – a B Class Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan and a smaller D Class Duggie Rodbard II.

Crews have received 28 Awards for Gallantry

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.

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.

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