A man’s body has been found in the sea by Margate RNLI following a huge operation today (February 15).
The alert was made at around 5.40am. It is understood the crewman didn’t turn up for his shift and wasn’t in his cabin, resulting in the the alarm being raised.
Ramsgate and Margate RNLI, the Coastguard helicopter, police and warship HMS Westminster were all involved in the seven and a half hour operation to scour the coast and shoreline.
Sadly, at around 1pm, the Margate crew discovered the man’s body.
A HM Coastguard spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard coordinated an extensive search today (February 15) after receiving a report of a potential man overboard.
“A coastguard helicopter from Lydd, a coastguard rescue team from Margate, RNLI lifeboats from Ramsgate and Margate, a Kent police RHIB and a Royal Navy vessel were all involved in the search, which was carried out in very rough seas and challenging conditions.
“A call, reporting a possible man overboard, came in from a boat off Margate Harbour at around 5.41am.
“At around 1pm, after many hours of searching, a body was sadly found in the water by the RNLI Margate lifeboat and has been brought to shore.”
An RNLI spokesman added: “A large area up to around eight miles offshore was searched by the sea and air units
and around seven hours after the initial call a body was recovered from the sea by the Margate all-weather lifeboat. The lifeboat returned to station and the body handed into the care of local police officers.”
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Following a search we have been notified by the Coastguard that a body has been recovered from the sea. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the identity of the man and inform his next of kin.”
