News release
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
Date: 03/05/2009	Rye Harbour 003 2009

RNLI Lifeboat launches to a speed boat drifting half a mile off Fairlight

Rye Harbour RNLI lifeboat B727 'Commander and Mrs Rodney Wells' launched at 5.46 pm to go to the aid of the speed boat 'Tonic', suffering engine failure and drifting half a mile off of the Coastguard lookout station at Fairlight. RNLI lifeboat B727 arrived alongside the casualty at 6.09 pm taking them in tow, RNLI lifeboat B727 arrived back at station with the casualty and the four occupants at 7 pm.

Rye Harbour RNLI lifeboat launched following a request by Dover Coastguard to go to the aid of the speed boat 'Tonic'. The alarm was raised by the owner, Tony Voller, who telephoned Dover Coastguard requesting help.

Tony Edwards, RNLI Deputy Launching Authority at Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat station, said: ‘on this occasion everything turned out well, with no-one suffering any adverse effects. If you have an engine in your craft then the RNLI strongly recommend that you know the basics of starting, running and maintaining it. Appropriate spares should be carried on board and fuel should be calculated on approximately 1/3 for the outward trip, 1/3 for the return and 1/3 as spare. More Sea Safety information can be found at www.rnli.org.uk/seasafety’

Notes to editors

Photo Casualty 'Tonic' being towed to the public slipway at Rye Harbour - Courtesy of Rye Harbour lifeboat station
Rye Harbour lifeboat station has been operating since 1966. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/ryeharbour

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Steve Tollett, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on news@ryeharbourlifeboat.co.uk or Tim Ash, Deputy Media Relations Manager South East and London on 07785 296252 or tash@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

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 over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 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.

A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland