News release
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
28/07/2008	Rye Harbour 034/2004

Inflatable blowing to sea.

Rye Harbour RNLI relief Lifeboat B722 'Beatrice Dorothy' launched today (28/07/08) on service at 6 pm to an 8 ft inflatable, blowing to sea off the Beach Club at Pett Level. At 6.14 pm Lifeboat B722 arrived along side the casualty, with four occupants (2 male adults, 1 male and 1 female child). The crew felt that the casualty should be escorted back to shore as the occupants had inadequate clothing, no lifejackets and had 500m to row back to shore against the off-shore breeze, but the occupants told the crew that assistance was not required.

The Lifeboat crew advised Dover Coastguard that assistance was not required and were released from the rescue. Rye Bay Auxiliary Coastguard Company were advised to observe the inflatable.

Tony Edwards, RNLI Deputy Launching Authority at Rye Harbour Lifeboat, said: ‘This is a classic instance of a person in distress, not realising they were in distress.

The average cost of launching an inshore lifeboat is estimated at £2,200. The RNLI is funded by voluntary donations not HM Government.’

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

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.