Sheerness RNLI Lifeboat launched to a boat on fire.

The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI all weather lifeboat ‘Judith Copping Joyce’ launched at 1.35pm on Friday 01 April after being tasked by the UK Coastguard to a small barge type vessel with an engine fire.

The Kent Police RIB ‘Invicta’ was afloat in the area and managed to get a towline onto the casualty and was stemming the craft from the worst of the wind and seas close to Queenborough Spit.

The lifeboat was on scene at 1.45pm and took over tow at 1.55pm.A request was made for a Kent Fire and Rescue unit to attend at Queenborough all-tide landing. With the casualty under tow the two men onboard were initially reported to be ok but the fire was still showing signs of being alight.

Once the casualty had been secured on the all-tide landing the pontoon hose was used to cool any visible burning timbers onboard and also to spray the main area of deck to prevent the fire spreading.

With Kent Fire and Rescue on scene and having taken over ‘fire duties’ the lifeboat was released at 2.25pm.following which the Sheppey Coastguard Rescue Team requested an ambulance to check one of the casualties who was showing signs of suffering from smoke inhalation.

Further information received some hours later reported that the problem seemed to have started with a faulty light fitting onboard the craft and that both the crew members were both now in good health and sent their thanks to all involved for their help in preventing the incident from becoming more serious.

Wind N to NE gusting to 45mph, moderate seas and fair visibility

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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 146,000 lives.

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