Record-breaking weather keeps Margate’s RNLI lifeboats and lifeguards busy

It was the first weekend back on duty for Thanet’s RNLI lifeguards and by mid-afternoon on Sunday (24 May) they were stretched to the limit patrolling two of the area’s most popular beaches, Margate Main Sands and Joss Bay.

Margate’s RNLI lifeboats were asked to provide additional back-up for lifeguards between 4pm and 7pm on Sunday. The town’s B class Atlantic 85 lifeboat was launched to guard the waters close inshore at Margate, while the smaller D class lifeboat supported lifeguards at Joss Bay.

Around 5pm, HM Coastguard tasked both lifeboats to assist in the search for a four-year-old child reported to Kent Police as missing on the main sands. Fortunately the child was quickly located safe and well ashore.

Meanwhile, the D class lifeboat located 18 people ‘cut-off’ by the rising tide in an isolated bay at Kingsgate. They were content to remain there until the tide receded and the lifeboat monitored the situation from seawards.

On Bank Holiday Monday, due to large numbers of visitors and vehicles RNLI volunteer crew were at the lifeboat station during the day to ensure the egress route for the lifeboats were kept clear.

Christian Wright, Launching Authority, Margate RNLI said: “Weekends such as this always attract large numbers to our beaches and RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards prepare accordingly, always working together to ensure both locals and visitors return home with happy memories, not tragic ones.

“We urge visitors to keep to lifeguarded beaches and swim between the red and yellow flags – find your nearest lifeguarded beach here https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches

“We also advise against remaining isolated in secluded bays during periods of high water. It may look safe, but attempting to wade around headlands is dangerous as deep gullies may be hidden beneath the water. There can also be problems if someone becomes ill and requires evacuation. In a coastal emergency, always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

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 further information, please contact:

Peter Barker, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]

Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 488243, [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]

Key facts about the RNLI

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.