Gravesend RNLI tasked to multi-agency search for missing paddle boarder
On Tuesday 2 April at 2:53pm, Four crew members from Gravesend RNLI were tasked by London Coastguard to reports of a paddle boarder in distress in the area of Canvey Island.
Gravesend’s Lifeboat Olive Laura Deare II arrived on scene at 3:16pm and began an extensive search of the area.
RNLI Thames Commander Liam Sidders said, ‘It was a large multi-agency search including our flanking station Southend RNLI, HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Lydd and shore-side HM Coastguard teams from Canvey and Southend’.
‘The Port of London aided the search by requesting over VHF radio that local vessels in the area to offer search assistance, numerous vessels including tugs and cargo ships offered their support and two possible sightings were made’.
‘One was a blue balloon, and the other was a large seal’.
After an extensive search and nothing found, the search was called off at by HM Coastguard at 5:43pm and was deemed a false alarm with good intent.
Gravesend RNLI returned to refuel and was made ready for service at 6:13pm.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
Gravesend is one of the RNLI’s newest lifeboat stations and one of four lifeboat stations operating on the River Thames – the first stations to specifically cover a river rather than estuarial waters or the sea.
Our lifeboat is Olive Laura Deare II, an Atlantic 85 B class inshore lifeboat, which is one of the fastest types in the fleet.
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For further information, please contact:
Ashley Bard, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Gravesend RNLI email [email protected]
Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager [email protected]
Julie Rainey, Regional Media Manager (South East), on 07827 358 256 or email [email protected]
RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email [email protected]
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Key facts about Gravesend RNLI
Gravesend RNLI is one of the RNLI’s newest lifeboat stations and one of four lifeboat stations operating on the River Thames. The first stations to specifically cover a river rather than estuarial waters or the sea.
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.
Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,200 lives.
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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.