A female swimmer was rescued safely from the water off Ramsgate by Ramsgate RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat following a report of concern made to HM Coastguard today (September 12) .
A HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was sent, as well as Coastguard Rescue Teams from Margate and Herne Bay, and the RNLI Ramsgate inshore lifeboat. Kent Police also attended.
The call came through from HM Coastguard for Ramsgate lifeboat to be ready for a search after clothing had been found on the beach at Ramsgate Main Sands.
The inshore lifeboat Claire and David Delves was launched at 12.04pm to carry out the search. At 12.10pm a fisherman confirmed that they’d seen a person swimming in the water.
The all-weather lifeboat Diamond Jubilee was launched to join in the search as well as the Coastguard Helicopter SR363 from Lydd Airport. The rescue was being coordinated by Dover Coastguard and Margate Mobile Coastguard Unit.
The helicopter crew sighted the woman and guided the all-weather to the casualty.
She was recovered by the volunteer crew onto the all-weather lifeboat and taken to the lifeboat station and handed into the care of paramedics.
Both Lifeboats returned to station at 1.55pm.
The woman was taken to hospital.
A South East Coast Ambulance service spokesperson said: “SECAmb were called shortly before 1pm to reports of concern for the welfare of a woman reported to have entered the sea in Ramsgate.
“Multiple crews attended the scene and assessed and treated one female patient before taking her to the QEQM hospital for further medical treatment.”
It’s clever how the helicopter balanced on that pyramid …
You do not want to go too far out swimming there. The waves and tide can be very strong. Safety First!