Sheerness RNLI lifeboat crews in search & rescue operation in the Medway estuary
An elderly man was found on his boat by the Sheerness inshore lifeboat crew after concerns were raised that he had got into difficulties in the Medway estuary on Tuesday 3 September.
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat Buster launched at 3.00pm on Tuesday 3 September after being tasked by the UK Coastguard to search for an elderly man on his boat after calls were made to them with concerns for his safety. It was reported that he had left Hoo Marina and was thought to be somewhere in the Medway estuary.
The lifeboat crew proceeded up river and searched round Hoo Island and back down river to Garrison Point and then into Stangate Creek without success. Further information received indicated that the vessel had possibly been sighted in The Swale.
Making best speed the crew eventually found the casualty aground opposite Ridham Docks and a crew member was put onboard at 4.30pm.
Inshore lifeboat crew member Jack Smedley said:’ We had just enough water to get the lifeboat into his stern so I could climb across to assess the man onboard. I suggested we prepared his anchor together then he come with me and we would take him ashore on the lifeboat. I stayed onboard with him while the lifeboat went into deeper water but by this point his vessel was completely high and dry and the only option was for us both to be winched into the Coastguard Rescue helicopter which had been tasked to assist.'
The casualty was handed into the care of the ambulance service and the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station, and made ready for further service at 8.00pm
Whilst the crew were about to have a well-earned cup of tea their pagers went off again at 8.31pm when they were again sent up river to reports of a person stuck in mud near A2 bridge at Rochester.
The ILB launched and proceeded upriver but was stood down after a 35min passage when it was reported that the person had removed themself from the mud and that the Kent Police and the Medway Coastguard Rescue Team were in attendance.
The ILB returned to station and was ready for further service at 10.15pm.
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.