An early morning callout for the Sheerness RNLI Lifeboat
The Sheerness all-weather lifeboat was launched in the early hours of Sunday 28 June in response to a yacht with an engine fire.
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI all-weather lifeboat The George and Ivy Swanson were tasked by the UK Coastguard at 3:02 am on Sunday 27 June 2021 to a Yacht with one man onboard that was in difficulties after an engine fire. The casualty craft was reported to be on a mooring off Gillingham in the River Medway.
The ALB launched at 3:20am with a crew of six and proceeded at best speed to the casualty. The only communication the crew had with the yacht was by mobile phone through the man’s wife who was ashore.
The Lifeboat arrived on scene at 3:47am and located the casualty, which was moored amidships onto a buoy close to Gillingham Reach.
With the lifeboat alongside, the owner reported the fire was out, but was concerned it may re-ignite and so with this in mind he was taken off and landed ashore at Gillingham marina into the care of the Medway Coastguard Rescue Team. An ambulance had also been arranged by the UK Coastguard.
With the man safely ashore, the lifeboat returned to the yacht and two crew were placed onboard to re-secure it from its bow. A complete check was then made of the craft and no signs of any smouldering or fire were evident.
With the craft safe, the cabin was made secure and the Lifeboat departed scene at 4:38am and was back on her moorings and ready for service again at 5:22am.
Wind NE F 4, smooth, overcast.
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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