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Physically tough rescue for volunteers

Lifeboats News Release

Walmer RNLI crew launched at 6.58pm on Sunday 21 July on the station’s D Class lifeboat.

Muddy crew after the rescue

RNLI/Christopher Winslade

Muddy crew after the rescue
The launch on Duggie Rodbard II followed a direct paging from HM Coastguard to a person stuck in the mud in Pegwell Bay near Sandwich. Low tide in the area at around 7.50pm, meant crew had to walk the lifeboat through about a foot of water and thick, sticky mud to reach the casualty who had grounded his rhib, and after trying to get back to shore became physically stuck.

After arriving on scene at 7.35pm, the casualty was rescued from the mud, placed on a sled to be pulled back to the lifeboat and returned to The Marina on the River Stour where he was handed over to a waiting Coastguard Rescue Team and ambulance crew.

On their return to the station at 10.50pm, a two hour clean-up of the lifeboat was carried out by both boat and shore crew. All moveable kit had to be taken out and thoroughly washed down to remove all traces of the mud.

Speaking after returning, long serving crew member Steve Emptage said: 'The mud was hard going. It's probably the most physically exhausting job I've had since joining the crew.'

The volunteers finally left the station at 12.50am on Monday morning.


Notes to editors

Walmer lifeboat station was established in 1856.

It currently operates two inshore lifeboats – a B Class Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan and a smaller D Class Duggie Rodbard II.

Crews have received 28 Awards for Gallantry

To find out more about Walmer lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/walmer-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

  • Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station on 01304 374475 or 07906 623037 [email protected]
  • Hatti Mellor, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (London/East/South East) on 07724 801305 [email protected]
  • For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 or [email protected]

Crew crossing the mud

RNLI/Christopher Winslade

Crew crossing the mud
Crew with rescue sled

RNLI/Christopher Winslade

Crew with rescue sled

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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