Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station

News release

Issued by Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer

DATE 28/04/2008 TIME 13.45 pm REFERENCE: SMT/RH/018

Rye Harbour Lifeboat requested to assist Hastings all-weather Lifeboat.


Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat, B-727, 'Commander & Mrs Rodney Wells' was diverted from exercise on Sunday (27/04/08) morning to assist Hastings RNLI All Weather Lifeboat, 12-002 'Sealink Endeavour' which was on service to the 50 foot yacht 'Fog Cutter' who was taking on water off Pett Level.


Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat, B-727, was requested at 12.02 pm to assist with the service - to transfer equipment and personnel between Hastings RNLI Lifeboat and casualty.

At 12.30 pm the decision was made to tow the casualty 'Fog Cutter' to Dover. Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat was released from the service at 12.48 pm and returned to station at 1 pm.

Richard Tollett, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Rye Harbour Lifeboat said:

‘ The RNLI rely on team work to carry out their lifesaving duties.  This service is just one example of that.  Rye Harbour and Hastings Lifeboats exercise together several times a year for just such incidents .

Regular training is vital to allow volunteers to go to sea and save lives. Today, only 1 in 10 crew members join the RNLI with any professional maritime background.’

END

Photo: Casualty 'Fog Cutter' being towed by Hastings RNLI all-weather Lifeboat 12-002 'Sealink Endeavour'.

Photo: Casualty 'Fog Cutter' pumping out water.

Notes to editors

  1. Photo's courtesy of Tony Peters, Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station. The photo's were taken during the service.
  2. Hastings All-Weather Lifeboat towed the casualty towards Dover, handing the tow over to Dover Lifeboat when they met.
  3. The average cost of launching is estimated at £2,200 for an inshore lifeboat and £5,800 for an all weather lifeboat
  4. The RNLI is a registered charity and continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for income

 

For more information please contact Steve Tollett, the RNLI lifeboat press officer at Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station on email: Press Officer.

  • The RNLI is a registered charity that saves lives at sea.
  • It provides, on call, the 24-hour service necessary to cover search and rescue requirements to 100 nautical miles out from the coasts of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
  • There are over 230 lifeboat stations.
  • RNLI Beach Lifeguards operate in the south and south west of England.
  • The RNLI further saves lives through sea and beach education.
  • The RNLI depends on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income.

    • Vision


    To be recognised universally as the most effective, innovative and dependable lifeboat service.Royal National Lifeboat Institution headquarters:

    West Quay Road
    Poole
    Dorset
    BH15 1HZ
    Tel 0845 1226999
    Fax 0845 1261999