Dover RNLI rescues man in inflatable dinghy adrift in strong winds

The Severn-class lifeboat launched at 5.30pm in the afternoon, after being tasked by HM Coastguard, following multiple 999 calls from the public who had spotted a person in a blue inflatable dinghy being blown out to sea off the Harbour Arm at Folkestone.

Although it was a beautiful sunny and hot day on the beach, the sea was choppy with strong north-easterly winds. The lifeboat, with a volunteer crew of seven, raced to the approximate location reported by the public. The lifeboat was in constant contact with the Folkestone Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT), who had spotted the casualty approximately 1.5 miles from the shore off Sandgate and some 2.5 miles south-east of the Harbour Arm.

The lifeboat was quickly on the scene by 6pm and successfully recovered the man, who by then was cold, wet and dehydrated. The man, who was in his 40s, had been on a day out with friends at the beach.

Once onboard the crew undertook care of the casualty and quickly ascertained he was not injured and otherwise OK. Because of the sea conditions it was decided to return to the shelter of Folkestone Harbour. The crew launched their small inshore ‘Y-Boat’ and returned the casualty to the shore at Sunny Sands beach into the care of the CRT.

Jack Coupland, the Coxswain said: ‘The weather was deceptive on Saturday, hot and sunny on shore but very windy and choppy at sea. We got to the general location very quickly and closed in on the casualty through coordinating with the Folkestone CRT. It was a brilliant example of the two agencies working closely together.

‘In the kind of conditions we had on Saturday it’s very easy for anyone to get quickly swept out to sea. Always check the tide and weather conditions before you have fun enjoying the seaside, especially in you plan to go out in a small craft. And always carry a means of contacting help. If you see anyone in difficulty in the water or on the shoreline, please call 999 and ask for HM Coastguard.’

The volunteer crew returned to the Dover washed down the lifeboat and refuelled it ready for service by 7.30pm.

The RNLI is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. It is the charity that saves lives at sea.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

• David Hampson-Ghani - Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Dover RNLI on 07802 614357 or email [email protected] 
• Sam Haddad - Regional Communications Manager, on 01273 514143 or email [email protected] RNLI Press Office 01202 336789 or [email protected]
• Julie Rainey – Regional Communications Lead, on 07827 358256 or email [email protected]
• RNLI Press Office - [email protected] , 01202336789

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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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