A multi-agency operation took place last night (August 17) after a woman was reported to be in difficulty in the sea at Margate.
Co-ordinated by Margate Coastguard with Margate RNLI’s B class and D class inshore lifeboats and additional Coastguard Rescue Teams from Herne Bay and Deal and the coastguard helicopter from Lydd Airport, crews were tasked to the rescue at around 9pm, with initial reports that the woman was in water off the Nayland Rock.
After around 90 minutes of searching the D class lifeboat located the woman around half a mile off The Lido. The casualty was taken on board the lifeboat and landed at Margate and into the care of the ambulance service.
A Coastguard spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard (Margate) coordinated the response to a report of concern made at about 8.55pm on 17 August for a woman in the water off Margate.
“A HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was sent as well as Coastguard Rescue Teams from Herne Bay and Deal, and RNLI lifeboats from Margate.
“The woman was recovered by one of the lifeboats and passed into the care of the South East Coast Ambulance Service. Kent Police also attended.”
A South East Coast Ambulance service spokesperson added: “SECAmb were called shortly after 9:30pm yesterday evening (17/08/25) to reports of concern for a person in the water near Royal Crescent Promenade in Margate.
“A woman was recovered and assessed and treated by our crews at the scene before being taken to the QEQM hospital for further medical treatment.”
Absolutely amazing that they managed to locate her so far away from where she was first spotted. After so long in the water this sounds like an extremely good outcome for the lady and her rescuers. Wishing her a very speedy recovery.