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Gravesend RNLI lifeboat called to yacht that had run aground

Lifeboats News Release

At 5:13pm on Friday 19 May 2023, HM Coastguard tasked the Gravesend lifeboat B-827 Olive Laura Deare II to a yacht that had run aground. The volunteers from Gravesend RNLI arrived on scene at Imperial Wharf, Gravesend to find a leisure yacht heavily tilted.

Thames Commander Connor Edwards said, ‘we were launched to the vessel and arrived on scene along with the Port of London Authority, we quickly assessed that the vessel was listing too much to make safe tow’.

There were added concerns due to the positioning of the leaning mast.

Connor added, ‘Their mast was very close to the walkway on shore which caused us concerns with the incoming tide, adding possibilities of movement and striking a member of the public. Therefore, the joint decision with the PLA was to take their anchor and lay it towards the middle of the River Thames to allow it to drift away as the tide floated in.’

‘A welfare check was carried out on the causalities whom all remained with their vessel until it self righted with the tide, we advised not to attempt to leave due to the concerns of mud surrounding them and the high chance of becoming stuck.’

'Always check the tide times and heights. Use tide timetables or a tidal prediction app like AnyTide.'

Gravesend RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat was then stood down, fuelled and made ready for service by 6:50pm.

The vessel self righted at 10:20pm that evening and set sail outbound.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Ashley Bard, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Gravesend RNLI on 07557 157 587 or email [email protected]

Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (London and South East), on 07785 296 252 or email [email protected]

Julie Rainey, Regional Media Manager (South East), on 07827 358 256 or email [email protected]

RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email [email protected]



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.

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