Ramsgate RNLI volunteer crew launch both boats in a stormy sea
On the evening of Tuesday 7 December at 7.41pm both the Ramsgate inshore lifeboat David and Claire Delves and the all-weather Windsor Runner (Civil Service no. 42) launched to reports of a boat taking on water that had beached itself on Broadstairs Main Sands.
On arrival two of the volunteer crew from the inshore lifeboat went onboard in horrendous conditions, as Storm Barra was making its presence known with gusts up to 52 knots (a force 9) south westerly. They took with them a large salvage pump to pump the water out, watched by a large crowd braving the weather on Broadstairs Pier.
Once the pump was running and the water level was lower, the inshore lifeboat picked the tow rope up from the all-weather lifebaot as that boat could not approach the casualty due to the lack of depth as the tide was falling and they only had two meters under them. Also there was an interesting use of life jackets as they were inflated onboard the casualty and used to block the breach in the hull.
The inshore lifeboat crew took one end of the tow, motoring up tide due the drag of the tow ropes, and attached it to the casualty and then the all weather towed them out into deeper water.
Once in calmer water, the all weather transferred the tow rope to its stern and then proceeded to tow the casualty back to the safety of Ramsgate escorted by the inshore Lifeboat.
Once back in the harbour the casualty was able to make their own way to the travel hoist, which is a crane used for lifting boats out of the water, to be lifted out of the water for inspection by the harbour staff.
Both RNLI boats then returned to station.
Media contacts:
Karen Cox Ramsgate RNLI Volunteer LPO Tel. 07779848431 Email [email protected]
Paul Dunt RNLI Regional Media Officer London and South East Tel. 07785296252 Email [email protected]
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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