News release
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
Date: 19/10/2008	Rye Harbour 040 2008

Four teenagers washed ashore on Camber Sands in 20ft Cabin Cruiser

Rye Harbour RNLI relief Lifeboat B722 'Beatrice Dorothy' launched at 3.23 pm today (19/10/08) to a 20ft cabin cruiser being washed ashore on Camber Sands. Dover Coastguard requested the launch of the lifeboat after receiving a call about a boat in difficulty, being washed ashore. RNLI relief Lifeboat B722 arrived on scene at 3.29 pm but the four teenagers had abandoned ship, jumping into the rough surf. The teenagers were safe ashore, being given some sea safety advice by the Coastguards. Due to the rough conditions, it was decided that the Lifeboat would not attempt to recover the boat as the boat had suffered some damage whilst being washed ashore and was not in a sea worthy condition.

Richard Tollett, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager for Rye Harbour Lifeboat, said: ‘The top priority is the preservation of life, both of the lifeboat crew and the casualty. In today's rough weather conditions, the decision was made to leave the casualties boat which had grounded. On average it costs £2,200 to launch an inshore lifeboat.’

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.

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