Busy few days for Walmer RNLI
Three emergency calls in two days for Walmer volunteers
After returning from exercise on Sunday 3 April, Walmer’s D Class lifeboat Duggie Rodbard II launched after paging at 12.57pm following a request from HM Coastguard to assist Ramsgate lifeboat in a search for a person in the water along the River Stour. Also assisting were the Coastguard Rescue Teams from Deal and Langdon, along with Kent Search and Rescue and Kent Police.
Crew was alerted by a mobile Coastguard Rescue Team after a call by a member of the public. Walmer’s crew assisted Ramsgate lifeboat with the rescue. The lifeboat returned to station at 3.45pm.
The call came after a similar paging on 20 March to help in the search for a missing person around the Sandwich Marina along the Stour.
On Monday 4 April, Walmer crews responded to two emergency calls. D Class Duggie Rodbard II launched at 3.53pm to a person in distress. Crew stood off at sea as the casualty was taken into the care of the emergency services enabling the lifeboat to return to station at 5.20pm.
Almost immediately, at 6.16pm the station’s B Class Atlantic lifeboat Donald McLauchlan was tasked to assist the Coastguard and other emergency services in a search for a missing person near Langdon Bay. Crew carried out a shoreline search up to the Eastern Arm of Dover Harbour, supported by Coastguard teams and the Coastguard helicopter returning to station at 9.20pm.
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 Walmer and Ramsgate crews with CRT and Kent Search and Rescue teams
Photo 2 Duggie Rodbard II after launch. Photo courtesy Chris Mansfield
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.