Margate RNLI investigates reports of people cut off by the tide

UK Coastguard received a call from a member of the public around 10.30am today (Saturday 7 June) reporting a group of people, one using a walking aid possibly cut off by the tide between Stone Bay, Broadstairs and Joss Bay, Kingsgate.

Weather conditions were not ideal with a fresh north-easterly breeze and choppy sea; the tide was flooding, around one hour before high tide. Due to the conditions both the D class and larger B class lifeboats were launched with Coastguard Rescue Teams from Margate and Herne Bay also tasked to provide shoreside assistance. The lifeboats carried out a detailed coastline search, liaising with RNLI lifeguards from Stone Bay while the coastguard teams followed up the report from ashore. After around an hour with no one located and no further reports the search was called off and the units returned to station, the call considered a false alarm with good intent.

Derek Amas, Lifeboat Operations Manager, Margate RNLI said: “We are grateful for the first informant calling this in, the area includes several isolated coves where people can find themselves cut off as the tide floods. We urge people to check local tidal information which are illustrated in an easy to understand graphic format at https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast-and-sea/tide-tables/9 and if anyone suspects people may be in difficulties on the shoreline or at sea dial 999 and ask for Coastguard.”

Photos: Actual pictures of the two lifeboats soon after launching (RNLI Margate) and two AIS plots showing the tracks including search patterns of both lifeboats (MarineTraffic).

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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