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Margate RNLI in major search for missing swimmer

Lifeboats News Release

Margate’s B class and D class RNLI lifeboats were launched around 4.30pm today (Friday 16 August) following reports of a possible missing swimmer off Westbrook Bay, it was thought the person had entered the water earlier in the day and had not returned to their belongings on shore.

Margate RNLI's B class and D class lifeboats (RNLI Margate)

RNLI Margate

Margate RNLI's B class and D class lifeboats (RNLI Margate)

Margate and Herne Bay Coastguard Rescue Teams along with the coastguard rescue helicopter from Lydd Airport were also tasked to take part in the search which covered the shoreline between Westbrook and North Foreland and an inshore waters search by the two lifeboats between Westbrook and Foreness Bay and up to 2km offshore.

Around an hour into the search the casualty was located ashore by RNLI lifeguards at Westbrook Bay and after coastguard officers confirmed that the person was safe and well the rescue units were stood down and returned to station.

Christian Wright, Launching Authority, Margate RNLI said: “The alarm was raised by a member of the public who saw the person enter the water earlier in the day and observed their belongings were still on the shore some hours later.

“A major search was launched by the coastguard and we thank the first informant for raising the alarm, fortunately the story had a happy ending and we remind everyone that if they see anything that doesn’t seem right ashore or at sea dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

Photos. Library picture of both Margate’s RNLI lifeboats and an atmospheric image of the B class lifeboat awaiting recovery after the call.

Main body

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]

· Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager on 07724 801305 or [email protected]

· RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Margate's B class RNLI lifeboat awaiting recovery after the call out (RNLI Margate)

RNLI Margate

Margate's B class RNLI lifeboat awaiting recovery after the call out (RNLI Margate)

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.

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.

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