Margate’s volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew investigated a report of two people and a dog cut off by the tide near North Foreland yesterday (April 20).
HM Coastguard received a call around 4pm reporting two people and a dog possibly cut off on a rising tide between Joss Bay and Stone Bay, Broadstairs.
Margate RNLI’s D class lifeboat was tasked to investigate, Margate Coastguard Rescue Team also responded. Coastguard officers were quickly on scene and initially unable to confirm the veracity of the report, no one being visible to the search teams.
The lifeboat carried out a close inshore search of the area with coastguard officers checking the clifftop and accessible bays and after a thorough search it was assumed the initial call was genuine but the casualties had made their own way to safety. All search units were stood down and returned to station.
Lee Button, Launch Authority, Margate RNLI said: “After a thorough search it is assumed the two people and the dog were able to make their own way to safety. In the first instance we urge people to check out the local tide times before venturing along the foreshore and around headlands, high tide times for Margate (or elsewhere) are available at https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast-and-sea/tide-tables/9/103
“With a fresh north easterly wind and unpleasant sea conditions, a self rescue by entering the water would have involved considerable risk and if anyone finds themselves cut off they should remain in a safe location and call for assistance by either dialling 999 and asking for the Coastguard or attracting the attention of anyone on the clifftop or in passing small craft.”
