Two calls in two hours for Margate’s volunteer lifeboat crew

UK Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public around 7.30pm last night (Tuesday 5 July) reporting a swimmer possibly in difficulties off Margate main sands. The town’s D class inshore lifeboat was tasked to investigate, Margate Coastguard Rescue Team was also called out to make observations from the shore.

The lifeboat discovered several people in shallow water off the main sands but as the swimmer had been seen to go around the harbour arm to the east the lifeboat widened its search and located a swimmer answering the description and in the estimated position. He was returning to shore and after checking on his welfare the lifeboat conducted a further search of the immediate area after which it returned to station.

Two hours later, around 9.30pm another report was received of two people in difficulties near the tide gauge beacon north of Margate harbour. The inshore lifeboat and local coastguard team were again tasked and two people in canoes were located at the beacon. It was reported they may have been jumping off the beacon and while they were not in need of assistance, as the light was fading, they were escorted back to the beach by the lifeboat where safety advice was provided.

Christian Wright, Deputy Launching Authority, Margate RNLI said: “While these calls were both false alarms, we thank the members of the public for calling them in. If swimmers encounter difficulties, we are reliant on their plight being spotted from ashore and the public’s diligence could help save a life – in a coastal emergency dial 999 and ask for coastguard.”

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.

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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.