Margate RNLI’s B class lifeboat joined Ramsgate RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat in assisting a yacht aground off Margate.
UK Coastguard received a Mayday distress radio call from a 10m yacht with four persons on board around 11pm last night (Saturday 26 August) reporting that they had run aground on the Kentish Knock sandbank around 15 miles north east of Margate and required assistance. The vessel was on passage from Gosport to Hull at the time.
Margate’s B class lifeboat and Ramsgate’s all-weather lifeboat were tasked to assist and located the casualty vessel high and dry and lying at an angle of 30’.
The tide was ebbing and it was calculated that it would be around six hours before the yacht refloated. Radio contact established the occupants of the yacht were safe and well and Margate lifeboat took soundings to determine the best approach for assisting when the vessel refloated.
It was agreed that Margate lifeboat should return to station and re-launch on the flood tide and that the larger Ramsgate lifeboat remain on scene to provide reassurance for the casualty.
Around 5.15am the following morning (Sunday 27 August) Margate’s B class lifeboat launched again and returned to the casualty’s position. Ramsgate lifeboat was able to assist the casualty vessel to refloat on the rising tide and tow it into deep water.
After checking the yacht was seaworthy and undamaged and the occupants safe and well it was able to continue its passage. The lifeboats returned to station.
