Early afternoon calls for Walmer RNLI

Crew on board inshore lifeboat Duggie Rodbard II initially launched at 1.25pm in 15-20 knot winds to a person in difficulty on a ledge on the cliffs near the Eastern Arm of Dover Harbour. On reaching the scene the casualty had been located by the coastal rescue team and was in the hands of the emergency services.

On being stood down by HM Coastguard at 2.07pm the crew were immediately redirected to a report of four people in a dinghy possibly in distress near Shakespeare Beach in Dover. A shoreline search was carried out between the beach towards Samphire Hoe and The Warren near Folkestone but nothing untoward was discovered.

While en route towards Dover the crew noticed a person on the beach at the foot of the cliffs potentially in danger of being cut off by the rising tide. A crew member was put ashore to check on their safety and warn them that high water was approaching. They were given sea safety advice by the crew member. With the sea conditions becoming more challenging and with the swell building, the lifeboat diverted through the Western and Eastern arms of Dover Harbour on its way back to station.

Notes to editors

Walmer lifeboat station was established in 1856.

It currently operates two inshore lifeboats – a B Class Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan and a smaller D Class Duggie Rodbard II.

Crews have received 28 Awards for Gallantry

Photo 1 Carrying out shoreline search.

Photo 2 Returning to station via Dover Harbour.

RNLI media contacts

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

• Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 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.

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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.