Ramsgate RNLI rush to the aid of one of their volunteer crew.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning Ramsgate’s all weather lifeboat launched at the request of HM Coastguard to reports of a Dutch Steel Cruiser, twelve and a half meters in length, in trouble.
The Tamar class Diamond Jubilee launched at 00.39 on 14 May and headed 1.4 miles south east of Ramsgate, to the stricken boat which had broadcast a Pan Pan emergency call.
The boat was on route from Dover to Ramsgate and had just one person onboard, and on arrival the seriousness of the situation became obvious as there was a shaft seal failure, which was causing copious water ingress. The boat was sinking and there was immediate danger to life.
The owner of the boat Simon later said that he had never been so relieved to see the Lifeboat arrive.
‘ I’m part of the Ramsgate lifeboat crew, and trained to deputy coxswain level. I spend my life working on boats and have done numerous rescues with the RNLI.
However, this was the first time I had been the recipient of a rescue. From the moment that I contacted the Coastguard to the actual launch of the lifeboat was such a short time, which I was able to monitor as I was carrying my own lifeboat pager.
I was expecting some ribbing as they are my fellow crew, but there was none of that. In fact I was impressed by the calm, professional way they got on with the task inhand, setting up a salvage pump and tow line.
It was a totally different sensation being on the receiving end of a lifeboat rescue, and having heard so many people express their relief and thanks when brought ashore, I can now totally relate to how they feel. ‘
Having taken the boat under tow, the lifeboat proceeded to the safety of Ramsgate Harbour arriving at 1.45am. No doubt once back in the safety of the Lifeboat Station the ribbing would start!
Karen Cox Ramsgate Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 07779848431 Email: [email protected]
Hatti Mellor RNLI National Media Manager Tel tel: 07724801305 Email: [email protected]
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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 146,000 lives.
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