News release
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
1 July 2008 1.55 am	Rye Harbour 027/2008

Yacht aground at Camber.

Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat, B727 launched on service at 1.07 am to the yacht 'Alcjon' which ran aground on the eastern side of Rye Harbour entrance.

Dover Coastguard requested the launch of Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat B727 at 12.57 am. When the Lifeboat arrived at the casualty she was high and dry, and there was nothing that could be done to re-float her at this time.

It was agreed that Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat crew would assemble at 6 am and go afloat when the tide starts to flow.

Richard Tollett, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Rye Harbour said: ‘There was nothing that we could do as the yacht was high and dry. The skipper was happy to stay with his boat, and make regular contact with Dover Coastguard throughout the night. The Lifeboat will return when the tide starts to flow, to tow the yacht off the sands.

Regular training is vital to allow our volunteer crews to go to sea and save lives.’

Notes to editors

• Photo: Yacht 'Alcyon' aground at Camber Sands
• Photo: Lifeboat B727, laying off awaiting for tide to refloat yacht 'Alcyon'
• Photo: Yacht 'Alcyon' refloated.
• The average cost of launching is estimated at £2,200 for an inshore lifeboat
• The RNLI is a registered charity and continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for income

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. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.