Four calls in one day for the Sheerness RNLI Lifeboat crew
Both the Sheerness RNLI lifeboats were called out to five incidents in two days beginning with one call on the 17 July 2020 followed by a further four on the 18 July.
The first call came at 2.34pm on Friday 17 July when the volunteer crew of the Inshore lifeboat were tasked to reports of a broken down, 20’ fishing vessel, with 2 persons onboard,located in the vicinity of 2a Buoy , Secondary Approach Channel, Thames Estuary.
Launching at 2:48pm with a crew of 3 onboard the ILB was on scene at 3:10pm. The fishing boat had suffered complete electrical failure. A tow was prepared and the casualty was then taken to the All Tide Landing at Queenborough Harbour and secured at 4:22pm.
Having been released from the incident by the UK Coastguard the Lifeboat returned to Station at 4:35pm,refuelled and made ready for service.
Weather :- Clear skies,Wind Easterly, F3, sea state smooth, visibility good.
The ILB was tasked again the following day at 2:39am after being tasked by the UK Coastguard to a multi agency incident in the vicinity of Rochester on the River Medway.
The Lifeboat was released from the incident at 3:40am after it was confirmed that other agencies has resolved the situation.
The Lifeboat returned to Station at 4:15am, refuelled and made ready for service.
Weather Wind WSW, 6-7 knts, sea state calm, visibility good.
The Sheerness all weather lifeboat was tasked by the UK Coastguard later that day at 1:30pm to reports of a yacht in the Sheerness Harbour area which had suffered a fire . Launching at 1:45pm with a crew of 7 onboard the Lifeboat and was quickly on the scene. An updated report confirmed the initial fire was out , but with concerns of potential re-ignition a tow was swiftly rigged and the casualty vessel towed to Queenborough All Tide Landing. The Lifeboat at the same time requested that Kent Fire & Rescue be tasked to meet the Lifeboat and the casualty on their arrival to check the yacht over and make safe if need be.
Arriving alongside the All Tide Landing at 2.15pm the casualty vessel was made secure and handed into the care of Kent Fire & Rescue team and the Sheppey Coastguard Rescue Team.
The lifeboat was released at 2:25pm and was back on station at 2:35pm.
Weather :- Part cloudy,Wind WSW 8-10 knts, sea state calm, visibility good.
Another call for the Sheerness Lifeboat crew came at 4.14pm when they were tasked to ‘assemble’ by the UK Coastguard in response to reports of an incident involving a boat aground South of Sea Reach 6 Buoy, Thames Approach Channel.
Due to the nature of the tasking and the ebbing Tide the the UK Coastguard tasked alternative assets to resolve the situation and the crew were stood down at 4:39pm
The fourth call from the UK Coastguard on the 18 July tasked the Sheerness ILB at 11:31pm to reports of 6 persons cut off by the tide at Grain Tower,Isle of Grain.
Launching at 11:45pm with a crew of 3 onboard the ILB was on the scene within five minutes where the Medway Coastguard Rescue Team were also in attendance with further individuals who had also been on the Tower but were now on shore.
The ILB soon ascertained that there were in fact six individuals on the Tower despite initial information received to the contrary and made 3 separate journeys to safely transport the six individuals, two at a time back to the shore and into the care of The Medway Coastguard Rescue Team.
The ILB was released from the scene at 0:30am , returned to Station at 0:35am refuelled and made ready for service at 0:55am.
Weather Wind S,4-5 knts, sea state calm, visibility good.
RNLI Media contacts:
Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 /
[email protected]
Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [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.
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.