More early morning and late night launches for the Sheerness RNLI lifeboat crews
The volunteer crews of both the Sheerness RNLI Lifeboats have been called out from their beds to more incidents over the last few days.
The Sheerness RNLI all-weather lifeboat 'Judith Copping Joyce' was tasked by the UK Coastguard at 10.05pm on Wednesday 10 August to respond to reports of a pan-pan call from a 15mtr Dutch style barge with mechanical problems and reported to be dragging anchor in the East Maplin buoy vicinity some 15miles from Garrison Point. One man and a dog onboard.
Launching at 10.21pm with a crew of six the ALB was on scene at 11.13pm and quickly had the casualty under tow and safely secured at Queenborough all-tide landing at 3.30am the next morning.
The Lifeboat returned to her moorings at 3.46am and after re-fuelling and cleaning was ready for further service at 4.15am
Weather hazy , Wind NE4 sea state slight visibility good.
The Sheerness all-weather lifeboat launched again at 5.15am on Saturday 13 August after being tasked by the UK Coastguard to reports of an old ships lifeboat, that had been converted to a motor cruiser, had suffered total steering failure in the area of Sheerness Docks.
The casualty craft, with three people and a dog onboard was quickly located and in tow at 5.32am to Queenborough all-tide landing where it was secured at 6.00am. The ALB was back on station and ready for service again at 6.34am
The Sheerness inshore lifeboat 'Buster' launched at 0.40am on Sunday 14 August after being tasked by the UK Coastguard to reports of people flashing lights on Grain Tower.
The ILB with a crew of three was on scene 0.45am and found five people on the tower who all reported that they were OK and intended to stay overnight on the tower.
The lifeboat was stood down at 0.50am and was ready for further service at 1.30am.
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.