Thanet RNLI lifeboats respond to vessel taking on water off the north Kent coast

HM Coastguard intercepted the call around 11.30am today (Monday 19 May) reporting on behalf of another nearby vessel with two persons on board that was taking on water and requiring assistance – the two craft were around six miles north of Margate and on passage to Ramsgate at the time.

Margate RNLI’s B class inshore lifeboat along with the all-weather RNLI lifeboat from Ramsgate were tasked to assist and quickly arrived on scene. Ramsgate lifeboat communicated with the casualty vessel and established that the occupants were bailing out their craft with a hand pump but otherwise unharmed. As the craft was able to make way and with the water ingress under control Ramsgate lifeboat escorted the vessel to the safety of Ramsgate harbour. With the situation under control Margate lifeboat was released and returned to station.

Kieran Sharrock, Launch Authority, Margate RNLI lifeboat said: ‘A Pan Pan broadcast indicates a situation is urgent but not immediately life-threatening and the accompanying vessel’s prompt and correct action ensured lifesaving resources could be tasked immediately and be on hand to provide assistance should the situation change for the worse.’

Notes to editors

· Margate lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/margate-lifeboat-station

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