Lifeboat launches three times

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Rye Harbour lifeboat volunteer crews launched three times within 23 hours this week to come to the aid of stricken vessels.

On Monday July 17 just after 8pm the lifeboat launched to reports of an 11-metre sloop “Fly” aground at the entrance to the Strand in Rye, with two people aboard. The yacht was high and dry and the owners were happy to stay on board and wait for the next tide, but early Tuesday morning at 6.30am the lifeboat launched again, towed the yacht off the mud bank and escorted it to a mooring at Strand Quay.

Later that day at 5.38pm the crew were requested to launch to a speedboat aground on the rocks on the western side of the harbour entrance. Camber RNLI Lifeguards were in attendance and stood by until the lifeboat arrived on scene. The casualty had suffered engine failure and was towed safely back to the slipway and left in the hands of the owner.

Deputy Lifeboat Operations Manager, Tony Edwards, said: “These were not life-threatening incidents but they do highlight the importance of engine and navigation equipment checks, at all times, by pleasure-craft owners in order to ensure the safety of themselves and others.”

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 more than 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 140 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 137,000 lives.

Steve Griffin – Press Officer Rye Harbour RNLI

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