Sheerness RNLI respond to two separate incidents involving the same craft

The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat were tasked by the HM Coastguard at 3:34pm on Tuesday 30 March in response to a number of 999 calls that they had received voicing concerns for a young female on a dinghy that was drifting off Sheerness seafront.

Launching at 3:51pm with a crew of three the lifeboat was on scene with the casualty, a 15-year-old, just eight minutes later.

The casualty was reassured by the crew that she was now safe and after being fitted with a lifejacket from the lifeboat she was then transferred back to shore and into the care of Sheppey Coastguard Rescue Team and shortly afterwards to a male relative. The dinghy was also recovered.

The ILB was released from the incident at 4:19pm and returned to lifeboat station at 4:30pm.

At 4:37pm whilst the lifeboat was being refuelled and washed down the Coastguard requested a launch to the same dinghy that was back in the water, now with two people onboard, and had broken down whilst heading back to a yacht that was moored off Sheerness seafront.

The lifeboat launched again at 4:45pm with the same three crew members and was on the scene at 4:50pm. After fitting both occupants with life jackets the two people and their tender were transferred back to the safety of their moored vessel.

The lifeboat was released from the incident at 5:10pm and returned to station at 5:15pm and was ready for service at 5:35pm. Weather Clear sunny skies, Wind SW 3 knots, visibility good.

Sheerness RNLI Press Officer Vic Booth said: ‘With lockdown restrictions easing and good weather forecast we are expecting our beaches and local waters to be busy, especially over the Easter weekend and during school holidays.

Many people will want to visit our coastline and participate in water-based activities such as swimming, kayaking,paddle boarding, boating and angling.

At present there are no RNLI lifeguards on Sheerness beaches and although our volunteer lifeboat crews are fully operational, should they be needed, it is important that anyone visiting the coast understands the risk and takes the necessary steps to keep themselves safe. This will also help to reduce the demands placed on our lifeboat crews and other emergency services including HM Coastguard. In this way we can all work together to succeed in ensuring the coast is a safe place to visit'.

We would urge anyone planning a visit to the coast to follow RNLI safety advice:

• Take care near cliffs - know your route and your limitations

• Have a plan - check the weather forecast and tide times

• If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and Float

• If individuals are choosing to go sailing or yachting it is important to ensure that

equipment is properly checked and serviceable before going afloat.

• In any coastal emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

Ends 

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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 142,700 lives.

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