Southend-on-Sea RNLI Hovercraft tasked to two people cut off by the tide
Monday 20 May Southend-on-Sea RNLI Hovercraft H-004 Vera Ravine assists two people seen to be cut off by tide at Thorpe Bay, volunteer Hovercraft Commander Jonathan Charnock responding to the call just moments after completing his Mayday mile running challenge.
Southend-on-Sea volunteers were paged Monday 20 May at 6.39pm. A member of public called the Coastguard after seeing two people that appeared to be cut off by the incoming tide near the Mulberry harbour off Thorpe Bay.
Launched at 6.54pm, RNLI Hovercraft H-004 Vera Ravine arrived on scene at 7.01pm finding the reported people, now approximately 200 metres south of Thorpe Bay Yacht Club. While the two people did not require assistance, the volunteer crew took them safely back to shore. H-004 Vera Ravine returned to station at 7.15pm.
The first informant had good reason to call the Coastguard, the area is known for people being cut off by the incoming tide. This time the callout was noted as a false alarm with good intent.
RNLI volunteer Jonathan has been running a mile a day throughout May in full inshore lifeboat kit to raise vital funds for the RNLI, Jonathan had finished hid daily run just a few minutes before the pagers sounded. Changing from his running dry-suit and lifejacket into his service dry-suit and lifejacket, straight into to his duty of commanding the rescue Hovercraft.
Jonathan said: 'Today's call demonstrated the spirit of the RNLI and what it's all about beyond the point of when the pager sounds, whether it’s a life saved or false alarm.
We see frequently the brave crews putting their yellow wellies on, jumping in the orange lifeboats and launching into any condition to save lives at sea. All of which is possible by the unsung heroes behind the scenes, the Great British public, supporters, fundraisers, and those who leave a legacy to the RNLI.
All of which helps keep the RNLI equipped with the best search and rescue equipment, trained crews and to be ready 24/7, 365 days a year ready to answer the call.
This year 4,408 people are taking on the Mayday mile challenge, raising vital funds for the RNLI.
Each and every one of them demonstrating what the RNLI is about, acting with courage, undertaking a selfless act to help answer the call of those in need.
Therefore, I'd like to say thank you to all the amazing people raising / donating money to the RNLI in whatever capacity that is, a life saved starts with you!'.
If you see someone who may be in trouble on the coast or at sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. That call could save someone’s life.
Notes to editors
- Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station has been operating since 1879. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://southendlifeboat.org/
- Southend-on-Sea rescue Hovercraft H-004 Vera Ravine is housed at Southend RNLI inshore station.
- The RNLI has four Hovercraft stationed around the coast at Hoylake, Hunstanton, Morecambe and Southend-on-Sea.
RNLI media contacts
- For more information please contact: Nigel Gilchrist, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Southend-on-Sea RNLI, 07765875300 or [email protected],
- Hatti Mellor | RNLI Regional Communications Manager – South East, [email protected]
- Julie Rainey, Regional Communications Lead - South East, on 07827 358 256 or email [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.
RNLI at 200
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
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.