RNLI/Mark Richardson Dungeness lifeboat
The warmer weather this weekend has meant that the volunteers of Dungeness RNLI lifeboat were called out twice on the afternoon of Saturday 10 June.
The first call on Saturday afternoon was from a local angling vessel who had lost all power and required assistance. The crew were paged at 4.15pm and launched the lifeboat to the vessel’s location approximately 3 miles south of Dungeness Point.
The lifeboat arrived on scene to the 4 people on board where a crewman was put aboard to assess the situation.
It was established by the coxswain that the best course of action would be to tow to the casualty vessel to the nearest safe haven, which was the beach at Dungeness. The lifeboat fixed a tow line to the vessel and towed them to safety at the beachside at around 6.20pm.
When the lifeboat arrived back at the station, a ‘Mayday’ was heard over the radio.
Reports were heard of a missing four-year-old on Camber Sands beach. The lifeboat immediately responded to the call and was enroute to Camber at 6.30pm.
The lifeboat arrived on scene joining RNLI Rye Harbour Lifeboat, the Coastguard helicopter, Coastguard Rescue Teams and RNLI Lifeguards.
Shortly afterwards it was reported the child had been found safe and well.
Library image – Camber Sands beach on a stormy day – Photo: Hawkinge Gazette
Coxswain, Jason Adams, says: ‘Our volunteers did a fantastic job today assisting the angling vessel and getting them safely to shore. It was great to have a positive outcome on both incidents today and we are glad the child has been reunited with their family. When travelling to the beach, always use a lifeguarded beach and if in trouble call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’