Capsized canoe, tidal cut-offs … busy RNLI Margate

UK Coastguard received several calls from members of the public at around 12.30pm today reporting a capsized canoe off Foreness Point around two miles east of Margate harbour, the occupant was seen to be in the water nearby. Margate’s D class inshore lifeboat along with Margate coastguard rescue team were tasked and while underway to the location further information stated that the casualty had been picked up by a passing craft and landed ashore at Foreness Point. The lifeboat continued and recovered the canoe, returning it to its owner ashore.

While in the area the lifeboat crew provided safety advice to a group of people attempting to wade around Foreness Point on a rising tide so they decided to check the known isolated bays in the area for anyone cut off by the tide. A group of around ten people were found cut off on an area of dry sand to the east of Botany Bay and while most were happy to sit it out until the tide ebbed four chose to be taken back to Botany Bay. After landing the four in Botany Bay the lifeboat returned to station.

Peter Barker, Lifeboat Press Officer, Margate RNLI said: ‘People should be aware of the dangers of choosing to stay in small, isolated bays over the high tide period. Should medical assistance be needed or the weather change you really are isolated and wading around the headlands presents dangers that should be avoided, particularly now as we approach the time of equinox spring tides. Mobile phone signals can also be unreliable below the cliffs and we recommend people enjoy the beach in the main bays where they can access the main roads.’

ENDS

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

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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]

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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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