A Busy Day for Dungeness RNLI
The good weather this weekend has meant that the volunteers of Dungeness RNLI lifeboat were called out twice on the afternoon of Saturday 10 June.
The first call on Saturday afternoon was from a local angling vessel who had lost all power and required assistance. The crew were paged at 4.15pm and launched the lifeboat to the vessel’s location approximately 3 miles south of Dungeness Point.
The lifeboat arrived on scene to the 4 people on board where a crewman was put aboard to assess the situation.
It was established by the coxswain that the best course of action would be to tow to the casualty vessel to the nearest safe haven, which was the beach at Dungeness. The lifeboat fixed a tow line to the vessel and towed them to safety at the beachside at around 6.20pm.
The lifeboat then arrived at station to be recovered onto the carriage when a ‘Mayday’ was heard over the radio.
Reports were heard of a missing four year old on Camber Sands beach. The lifeboat immediately responded to the call and was enroute to Camber at 6.30pm.
The lifeboat arrived on scene joining RNLI Rye Harbour Lifeboat, the Coastguard helicopter, Coastguard Rescue Teams and RNLI Lifeguards, but shortly afterwards was informed the child had been found safe and well.
The lifeboat then returned to station where it was recovered onto the carriage and was made ready for service by 8.00pm.
Coxswain, Jason Adams, says:
‘Our volunteers did a fantastic job today assisting the angling vessel and getting them safely to shore. It was great to have a positive outcome on both incidents today and we are glad the child has been reunited with their family. When travelling to the beach, always use a lifeguarded beach and if in trouble call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
If you are interested in volunteering for Dungeness RNLI Lifeboat Station, we have a number or roles available both afloat and shore based. Please contact the station on 01797 320317 or [email protected] if you would like to take on a new challenge and become part of the charity that saves lives at sea.
Notes to Editors
· Dungeness lifeboat station has been running since 1826.
· The station received the first Shannon-class lifeboat in the RNLI fleet – The Morrell
· The station is famous for its Lady Launchers, local women and wives of the crew who helped launch the lifeboat in the 1950s.
Ends
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Sarah Beck, Dungeness Lifeboat Press Officer on
[email protected] or 07956 615429,
Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer on 07785 296252 or [email protected] or alternatively, Regional Media Manager Julie Rainey on 07827 358256 or
[email protected]. RNLI Press Office is available 24/7 365 days a year on 01202 336789.
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 142,700 lives.
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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.