Early tasking for Walmer RNLI

Walmer RNLI crew launched on the station's Atlantic lifeboat Hounslow Branch at 2.20am yesterday morning, 22 August, to a 7 metre yacht with two people on board broken down and anchored less than 100 metres off the South Foreland lighthouse near Dover.

The vessel was in less than one metre of water on a falling tide. Having failed to restart their engine, a crew member was put on board to check on welfare and then rigged a tow towards Dover Harbour.

The yacht was guided safely alongside a berth with the assistance of a Coastguard Rescue Team and after being stood down by HM Coastguard, the lifeboat returned to station at 4.30am.

Notes to editors

Walmer lifeboat station was established in 1856.

It currently operates two inshore lifeboats – a B Class Atlantic 85 Hounslow Branch and a smaller D Class Duggie Rodbard II.

Crews have received 28 Awards for Gallantry

To find out more about Walmer lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/walmer-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

• Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station on 01304 374475 or 07906 623037 [email protected]

• Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 07827 358256 [email protected]

• Hatti Mellor, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (London/East/South East) on 07724 801305 [email protected]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 or [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.

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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.