Littlestone RNLI responds to five taskings over the weekend

On the afternoon of Saturday 28th June 2025, Dover Coastguard received a 999 call expressing concern for 2 people on an inflatable kayak being pushed by the wind towards the Mulberry Harbour section off Littlestone. The pagers sounded at 13.28 pm and our volunteer crew swiftly launched the B Class inshore lifeboat Howard Bell. Making their way across the bay, our crew found the kayak and confirmed with the two occupants that they were not in any difficulties. The Littlestone crew had a conversation with the group and the lifeboat was stood down by the coastguards to return to station.
After washing down and refuelling the B Class ready for service our crew left the station around 14.30 pm only to be paged again at 14.56pm. This time Dover Coastguard requested the launch of the charity’s Atlantic 85 to investigate multiple 999 calls reporting an adult and child being blown out to sea in a small dinghy off Dymchurch. Making best speed across the bay, our volunteers arrived on scene to find that the adult had entered the water and was successfully towing the dinghy towards the shore. The lifeboat observed from the sea as the dinghy reached the beach, also under the watchful eyes of the Coastguard Mobile Team. At 1230pm on Sunday afternoon the pagers went off again with the Coastguard requesting we attend a grounded yacht with a disabled sailor aboard. The yacht was making it's way to Brighton on a charity sail and had run aground earlier in the day. With high tide approaching, HM Coastguard tasked the Littlestone volunteer lifeboat to attend the scene, alongside Langdon Mobile Coastguard unit, to provide safety cover. This was the first shout for newly qualified lifeboat crew member , John Thurgood. The pager went off again at 14.42pm with our volunteers tasked to a vessel reported going round in circles with a person in the water between Littlestone and Dungeness. These incidents can sometimes be due to the boat driver falling overboard and not wearing a kill cord - so the boat keeps going and poses a danger to the casualty in the water. Always wear a kill cord- it could save your life. This time it was a false alarm with good intent and we returned to station. The final paging of the weekend was at 16.37pm to a missing swimmer off Folkestone. Thankfully to the relief of his family, he was located before we launched.
Even though the nature of these five incidents were all quite different, the informants did the right thing in contacting the Coastguard on 999 to express their concerns. The prompt responses by our crew ensured these incidents were investigated and easily resolved before escalating into something more serious.
John Kenny, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Littlestone RNLI said ''The wind was gusting to 25 knots across the bay on Saturday afternoon and,in a small craft , it's easy to get blown out of your comfort zone. On Sunday, the first shout was precautionary as a grounded vessel can sustain damage that only becomes apparent when the boat refloats. The outcome of all five shouts over the weekend has been positive and a good reminder that taking to the water needs care. You should check the tide, wind speed and direction if you go out on the water.'

The RNLI urges anyone heading out swimming or on a kayak, dinghy or other vessel to be prepared:

Always wear a buoyancy aid or lifejacket
Check the weather and tide conditions –
Offshore winds can quickly sweep you out to sea
Carry a means of calling for help – a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch or a VHF radio
Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back
If you’re in trouble, stay with your kayak or boat and call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
You don’t need to be far from shore to get into danger.
Even experienced sailors can get caught out by changing weather or currents.
END

Notes to editors
Photos:
· Littlestone RNLI Atlantic 85 Howard Bell
Photo credit RNLI / John Kenny
Information:
Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1966, Littlestone RNLI operates an inshore Atlantic 85 lifeboat which is currently B-899 Howard Bell

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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.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok 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.