Crew assemble paging leads to rescue

Walmer RNLI volunteers launched their D Class lifeboat Duggie Rodbard II at 10.50am on 22 May in response to a tasking by HM Coastguard to a report of a 4m dinghy with two people on board in difficulty off Sandown Castle. The casualty vessel was reported drifting with the tide and wind approximately one mile north-east of the castle.

On arrival at the scene the crew took the two casualties on board the lifeboat and handed them survivor lifejackets before towing them to Deal Coastguard station.

The two were given safety advice by both the lifeboat crew and the Deal Coastguard team before the RNLI volunteers returned to the station where the boat was thoroughly sanitised before being returned to service.

The RNLI and HM Coastguard have recently issued a joint beach safety campaign urging people to protect their families and save lives at the coast. With the easing of lockdown restrictions this summer, visits to the coast could see a major impact on RNLI and HM Coastguard services. Beach lifeguard patrols are significantly reduced due to the challenges posed by the coronavirus and they are advising the public not to use inflatables at all and for anyone planning a visit to the beach or the coast to follow safety advice.

RNLI media contacts

• Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station 01304 374475, 07906 623037 [email protected]

· Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 620 7426, 07785 296252, [email protected]

· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.