Margate RNLI called to three children adrift in dinghy off Westgate

Margate RNLI inshore lifeboat 'Tigger Three

Margate’s RNLI inshore lifeboat has responded to a report of three children in an inflatable dinghy drifting out to sea off Westgate.

Around 6pm yesterday (August 21) UK Coastguard received the report and a request for the immediate launch of Margate’s RNLI inshore lifeboat was initiated by the coastguard. Margate Coastguard Rescue Team was also tasked.

The lifeboat crew were about to start a routine training session at the boathouse and were able to quickly respond. Once the lifeboat arrived on scene it was established that the dinghy and its occupants had made their way to shore safely. With the situation resolved the lifeboat returned to station.

Paul Hodson, Lifeboat Operations Manager, Margate RNLI said: “Inflatable dinghies can be extremely dangerous in certain circumstances and time is critical if they start to blow out to sea.

“We urge everyone to be vigilant and dial 999 and ask for coastguard if they have any doubt about the safety of anyone at sea, especially in inflatable dinghies. Safety advice can be found at https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety in particular by scrolling down to the advice concerning inflatables.”