Margate RNLI assists disabled motor cruiser

The 9m long vessel, on passage from London to Ramsgate with three persons on board contacted UK Coastguard around 2pm today (Wednesday 30 June) reporting they were at anchor close to the Nayland Rock off Margate harbour and had suffered machinery failure. The vessel was disabled and assistance was requested.

Margate’s D class inshore lifeboat was requested to launch by the coastguard in order to assess the situation. The lifeboat was soon on scene and it was established that the vessel’s machinery problems could not be rectified and after assessing the situation the lifeboat’s helm made the decision that undertaking a tow was necessary and the safest means to assist the vessel.

As Ramsgate was the nearest safe and suitable port Margate’s larger B class inshore lifeboat was launched and after checking on the welfare of the casualty vessel’s occupants took the craft in tow to the safety of Ramsgate harbour where they were met my Margate Coastguard Rescue Team. Once the casualty was secured alongside the lifeboat returned to station.

Notes to editors

· Margate lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/margate-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact:

· Peter Barker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07974 064304 or [email protected]

· Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 or [email protected]

· RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.

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.