Reports of two people in the water, and four people cut off by the tide have led to calls for both of Margate RNLI’s inshore lifeboats today (July 12).
Margate RNLI’s B class inshore lifeboat was engaged in routine training in Ramsgate harbour around 10am when HM Coastguard received a report of four people cut off by the tide at Kingsgate Bay. The lifeboat was diverted from its exercise and tasked to investigate, Margate and Deal Coastguard Rescue Teams were also tasked to the scene.
While the lifeboat was underway to Kingsgate, HM Coastguard received another report of a two persons in the water off Pegwell Bay south of Ramsgate harbour. The lifeboat was re-diverted to Pegwell Bay with Margate’s D class lifeboat tasked to the original call at Kingsgate.
The call to Pegwell Bay was quickly resolved with the two persons picked up by a passing boat and the B class lifeboat was re-diverted again to Kingsgate. When both lifeboats arrived on scene it was established the four casualties were ‘high and dry’ in a secluded cove with no access to the main beaches.
Weather conditions were poor with a north-easterly Beaufort force five wind and 3 metre seas creating broken surf on the rocks, it was around high water at the time and as the casualties were in a relatively secure location it was considered unsafe to attempt extraction by sea.
Coastguard officers were able to communicate verbally with the casualties and it was agreed that with the ebbing tide they were content to await the opportunity to reach the safety of the beach themselves once the water receded.
The coastguard team remained on the cliff top to monitor their safety and the lifeboats were stood down and returned to station. The casualties subsequently made their own way to safety.
Emma Macfarlane, Launch Authority, Margate RNLI, said: “The area around Kingsgate is notorious for people becoming cut off by the tide. While they can remain on dry sand extraction in an emergency can be problematic.
“Most importantly we urge people not to attempt wading around headlands as deep gullies will not be obvious, remain where you are and dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”
