RNLI Dungeness lifeboat volunteers help rescue plane crash pilot in English Channel

The volunteer crew of Dungeness Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) – the charity that saves lives at sea – all-weather lifeboat launched at approximately 1455 hours this afternoon (Sunday 28 June 2009) to go to the aid of an air-craft pilot whose plane had crashed into the English Channel.

The pilot of the plane ditched his small aircraft into the sea approximately four miles south west of Dungeness Point. The pilot was subsequently spotted by a passing commercial vessel, which helped rescue the pilot from the English Channel. The RNLI's Dungeness Mersey class all-weather lifeboat then manoeuvred alongside the vessel and recovered the pilot safely onboard, where his medical condition was assessed and it was decided he should be airlifted to hospital.

Deputy Second Coxswain of Dungeness all-weather lifeboat, who was in charge of the lifeboat at the time of rescue, says:

'Although the pilot was not badly hurt he was experiencing symptoms of shock and it was decided that he should be taken immediately to the nearest hospital. A rescue helicopter airlifted the pilot from the RNLI lifeboat and took him to hospital in Ashford, Kent. The pilot was really lucky that he was rescued so quickly from the English Channel. If this incident had happened at night, there might have been a very different ending to this rescue.'

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Judith Richardson, RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07925 576569 or 01797 320062 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Notes to Editors

Dungeness deputy second coxswain Mark Richardson is available for interviews

Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.
A charity registered in England and Wales No: 209603

Websites:
www.dungenesslifeboat.org.uk
www.rnli.org.uk

Lone yachtsman found drifting and lost is rescued by Dungeness RNLI lifeboat

The local safety range boat on patrol off Lydd Ranges found a lone yachtsman drifting in a 28' yacht with engine failure, damaged mast and unclear where he was.

The Dungeness RNLI lifeboat was called to his position, one mile south of the lifeboat station to access the situation. It was discovered that the casualty was on passage from Poole to Newhaven but had got completely lost. Coxswain Stuart Adams said 'I decided the safest option was to tow the casualty to a safe haven in Dover Harbour. The RNLI tries to encourage yachtmen to have free sea safety checks on their vessels before leaving on passage and to make sure a passage plan is in place with the coastguard. This person was very lucky that the weather was fine and that he was seen by the local range boat patrolling off Lydd'

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Judith Richardson, RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07925 576569 or 01797 320062 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.
A charity registered in England and Wales No: 209603

 Websites:
www.dungenesslifeboat.org.uk
www.rnli.org.uk

Dungeness RNLI lifeboat responds to fishing vessel broken down 10 miles south of Dungeness

In the afternoon of Monday 26 January, 2009 French coastguards alerted Dover coastguards of a Rye fishing vessel with engine problems stranded 10 miles south of Dungeness. The Dungeness RNLI lifeboat launched and once on scene found casualty had managed to repair the engine. The fishing vessel proceeded safely back to Rye Harbour. Dungeness RNLI lifeboat returned to station.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Judith Richardson, RNLI lifeboat press officer on 07925 576569 or 01797 320062 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.
A charity registered in England and Wales No: 209603

Websites:
www.dungenesslifeboat.org.uk
www.rnli.org.uk

Dungeness RNLI lifeboat answers MAY DAY call.

On Monday 4 May, 2009 at approximately 17.00 hours the RNLI lifeboat from Dungeness received a MAY DAY call from a cabin cruiser with a fouled propellor, 1.5 miles south of Dungeness. On reaching the casualty the RNLI lifeboat towed the stricken vessel to calmer waters in the bay so that Coxswain Stuart Adams could safely put two crew members aboard to assess the situation. Coxswain Adams decided to tow the casualty to Rye for repairs.