
Early New Year call for Walmer RNLI
Walmer RNLI crew launches to their first call of 2025.
Walmer’s D Class lifeboat Duggie Rodbard II with four crew on board launched after a tasking request from HM Coastguard at 1.15pm yesterday, 3 January.
After setting off on a coastal walk three people and their dog had become cut off by the tide near James Bond creator Sir Ian Fleming’s house in St Margaret’s Bay.
On reaching the scene, two crew members were put ashore to check on the casualties while the other two steadied the boat in the surf. After providing the casualties with lifejackets, they were taken from the beach into St Margaret’s Bay and handed into the care of the Coastguard Rescue Team. The boat was recovered back at station at 2.45pm.
We would always strongly recommend checking and being aware of local tide times before setting off on such walks. These are posted weekly on our Facebook page and are on view in a showcase outside our small boatshed. We also encourage that should you see anyone potentially in trouble, phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
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]
- Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 07827 358256 [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]
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.