News release
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
Date: 31/05/2009	Rye Harbour 007 2009

Busy afternoon for Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat B727

Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat B727 'Commander and Mrs Rodney Wells' launched on service at 4.33 pm today (31/05/2009) after a report of an adult male swimmer in difficulties 500 metres east of Rye Harbour entrance. When RNLI Lifeboat B727 arrived on scene at 4.40 pm, they were advised by Dover Coastguard that they were now looking for a seven year old boy and a three year old girl who had been reported as missing in the water by their mother (the partner of the original swimmer in difficulties. Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat B727 commenced a parallel search from west to east along with Pett Rescue boat and Camber Coastguard.

At 5.12 pm, Dover Coastguard tasked Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat and Pett Rescue boat to proceed to the western end of Camber Sands and commence searching west to east at approximate 100 yard spans to look for a black and red inflatable with three Brazilian male occupants. It was at this time that Dover Coastguard tasked Littlestone RNLI Lifeboat B785 'Fred Clarke' to search Camber Sands from east to west and the Coastguard Spotter aeroplane GBCEN was also tasked to assist the search.

At 5.20 pm Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat B727 located a yellow and blue inflatable with two male occupants - after confirmation with Dover Coastguard that this was a different inflatable, the occupants were spoken to by the crew of the lifeboat and taken back to shore. At approximately 5.45 Dover Coastguard advised all parties involved in the search that all casualties had been found safe ashore and that the RNLI Lifeboats B727 and B785, Pett Rescue boat could return to their stations.

As Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat B727 was being put back on its carriage she was tasked at 5.48 pm to an inflatable with two teenage occupants (aged about 14 years old, which appeared to be in difficulty just east of Rye Harbour entrance. The inflatable and its occupants were returned safely to shore. RNLI Lifeboat B727 returned to station at 6.15 pm

Richard Tollett, RNLI Operations Manager at Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat, said: ‘It looks like the silly season is finally here. The Met Office are predicting a really hot summer and travel experts are saying that many people will be holidaying at home, we are prepared for a very busy summer. The RNLI rescue an average of four young people every day, SAFE is aimed at helping children to remember key safety messages. Remember SAFE (Spot the dangers Always go with a friend Find and follow the safety signs and flags Emergency? Stick up your hand and shout or ring 999 or 112) for more information visit www.rnli.org.uk/shorething.'

Notes to editors

• Rye Harbour lifeboat station has been operating since 1966. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/ryeharbour
• Dover Coastguard advised that there were over 20,000 people on Camber Sands today (31/05/2009)
• Dover Coastguard advised that there were 17 incidents today (31/05/2009) (11 missing children, 3 people in distress in the water & 3 inflatables in difficulties)

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