Sheerness RNLI called out more than 70 times as busy summer draws to a close

The station’s inshore lifeboat, Buster, was tasked just after 7.30pm on Tuesday 18 August after a jet ski lost power having left the Strand at Gillingham.

The craft, carrying an adult and a child, was drifting north-east on the ebbing tide. The pair were wearing personal flotation devices but had no means of communication.

The volunteer crew reached the jet ski shortly after 8pm. They were taken aboard the lifeboat and the jet ski was towed to Gillingham Marina, where the casualties were met by the Coastguard Rescue Team.

Volunteers were called out again over the bank holiday weekend after a man became trapped on Grain Tower, an abandoned 19th-century offshore artillery fort located on the Grain Spit at the mouth of the River Medway, as the tide came in.

The inshore lifeboat was requested to launch just before 11.30am on Monday 31 August. The man had been visiting the tower with another person but was unable to climb down safely.

His companion managed to reach safety with help from the Coastguard Rescue Team, while the man remained at the tower with coastguard rescuers awaiting the lifeboat.

The lifeboat reached the scene shortly before midday and brought everyone safely ashore, returning to station at 12.50pm.

Sheerness RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Alan Carr, said: 'Our volunteers have now responded to 73 incidents this year, helping people in a wide range of situations. These two incidents show how quickly people can find themselves in difficulty, particularly around strong tides and when using personal watercraft.'

'We would always encourage people heading onto the water to wear a suitable lifejacket or flotation device and carry a reliable means of calling for help. Anyone visiting tidal locations should check the tide times carefully and make sure they have enough time to return safely.'

'If you see someone in difficulty on the coast or in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'

As summer draws to an end, Sheerness RNLI is reminding people that tidal waters can remain dangerous throughout the year and that preparation can make all the difference in an emergency.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Megan Carr, Lifeboat Press Officer, Sheerness RNLI, [email protected]

Stella Sims, RNLI Communications Staff Member for RNLI, [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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