Margate RNLI investigates report of two people and a dog cut off by the tide
Margate’s volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew has investigated a report of two people and a dog cut off by the tide near North Foreland
HM Coastguard received a call around 4pm today (Sunday 20 April) reporting two people and a dog possibly cut off on a rising tide between Joss Bay and Stone Bay, Broadstairs.
Margate RNLI’s D class lifeboat was tasked to investigate, Margate Coastguard Rescue Team also responding. Coastguard officers were quickly on scene and initially unable to confirm the veracity of the initial report, no one being visible to the search teams.
The lifeboat carried out a close inshore search of the area with coastguard officers checking the clifftop and accessible bays and after a thorough search it was assumed the initial call was genuine but the casualties had made their own way to safety. All search units were stood down and returned to station.
Lee Button, Launch Authority, Margate RNLI said: “After a thorough search it is assumed the two people and the dog were able to make their own way to safety. In the first instance we urge people to check out the local tide times before venturing along the foreshore and around headlands, high tide times for Margate (or elsewhere) are available at https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast-and-sea/tide-tables/9/103
“With a fresh north easterly wind and unpleasant sea conditions, effecting a self rescue by entering the water would have involved considerable risk and if anyone finds themselves cut off they should remain in a safe location and call for assistance by either dialling 999 and asking for the Coastguard or attracting the attention of anyone on the clifftop or in passing small craft.”
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.
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, X, TikTok 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.