Sheerness RNLI reaches 40 call-outs after busy spell for volunteer crews

The station’s 40th call-out came on Wednesday, July 8, when the inshore lifeboat (ILB), Buster, launched following reports of an under-inflated inflatable boat with three people on board drifting towards the wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery. Passing vessels raised concerns for the occupants’ welfare and alerted HM Coastguard. After arriving on scene, the crew established those on board were safe and not in need of assistance before returning to station.

The milestone launch came just hours after Buster had been tasked to a yacht hard aground in Stangate Creek with one person on board. At the request of HM Coastguard, the crew located the vessel and brought the casualty safely ashore to Queenborough All Tide Landing, where Coastguard Rescue Team volunteers and the South East Coast Ambulance Service were waiting.

The recent run of incidents began on June 26, when Buster launched to reports of a person in the water near Rochester Esplanade before carrying out an extensive search near the M2 bridge after being redirected by HM Coastguard.

Further launches followed on June 29 to two people reported to be in the water off Minster Leas, and on July 1 to a multi-agency incident, with the lifeboat stood down while making its way to the scene.

While taking part in a scheduled training exercise on July 4, the station’s all-weather lifeboat (ALB), Judith Copping Joyce, was diverted to recover an upturned, damaged and abandoned dinghy from the Thames Estuary. Later that day, Buster launched after two paddle boarders were reported to be drifting offshore at Sheerness, but the pair made it safely back to shore before the crew arrived.

On July 5, Judith Copping Joyce launched to assist a yacht that had suffered engine failure and run aground near Middle Sunk. The crew towed the vessel safely to Brightlingsea Harbour after Clacton RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was unavailable. Later that afternoon, Buster launched to reports of a drifting jet ski off Allhallows, although the craft had already been taken under tow before the lifeboat arrived.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Alan Carr said: “Reaching 40 launches is a reminder of just how busy our volunteer crews have been this year, particularly over the past couple of weeks.

“The variety of incidents we’ve attended, from grounded yachts and drifting paddle boarders to reports of people in the water and concerns for small inflatables, shows just how quickly things can change once you’re on or near the water.

“As we head further into the summer, we’d encourage everyone to plan ahead before setting out, check the weather and tide times, wear an appropriate lifejacket or buoyancy aid and always carry a means of calling for help.

“Our crews are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to respond whenever they’re needed, but by taking a few simple safety precautions people can help make sure they enjoy the water safely.”

With more people expected to head to the coast during the warmer weather, the RNLI is reminding anyone planning to use the water to check weather and tide conditions before setting out, carry a means of calling for help and always wear a suitable buoyancy aid or lifejacket.

If you see anyone in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Megan Carr, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]

Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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