Whitstable RNLI Rescue Angler

Helm Dave Parry said “We launched just after 8.00am following the report from coastguard of an angler missing from what is known as The Whitstable Street, a shingle and clay bank that extends for around a ½-mile from the shore between Whitstable and Tankerton. We located the male casualty, who was in his early 60’s a ¼-mile of The Long beach, Whitstable and just managing to stay afloat despite wearing chest waders”.

“He had been fishing chest deep in the water when he lost his footing and was swept off his feet. He looked a little shaken as we brought him onboard the lifeboat and wrapped him in a thermal blanket to keep him warm on the return to the lifeboat station”.

“At the boathouse we were met by the coastguard team and an ambulance crew who found the casualty to be hypothermic and therefore he was transferred to hospital in Margate for observation”.

“Mr Parry continued “It was fortunate that a fellow angler fishing inshore of the casualty had looked round and saw that he had disappeared and went ashore to raise the alarm”.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Mike Judge said “The Whitstable Street is a popular location for anglers who often wade out chest deep in the water and, the message we need to get across is that the risk is getting swept off ‘The Street’ by the strong currents into deeper water and not just being cut off by the tide. Anglers should always wear a life jacket over their waders as this will give them a better chance of staying afloat”

“Our crew had a struggle to bring the casualty onboard the lifeboat as his chest waders were full of water. We would also urge people to carry some means of communication and raising the alarm should they get into difficulties, although a mobile phone may not work in the conditions, as well as informing persons onshore as to their intentions. Fortunately on this occasion a tragedy was averted”.

Other members of the lifeboat crew involved were Sam Turner, Ollie Myhill and Pete Moore with tractor driver Pete Fenton and launchers Joe Lovett, Robin Nicholl, Jamie Medwin, Ruth Oliver and Ben Sprattling.

Weather conditions at the time were overcast skies but good visibility and a smooth sea.

This was the 46^th call of the year for the volunteer crews at Whitstable RNLI.

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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