News & Events

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WALMER LIFEBOAT CALLED TO STRANDED YACHT AFTER RAFT RACE

The photograph above was taken a few years previously of a similar incident and is for illustrative purposes only.

B 808 at speed during the station's 2010 Open Day.

Photograph by Tommy Mitchell.

Walmer Lifeboat was towing some of the rafts which took part in the Deal Regatta Raft Race on Sunday back to the Downs Sailing Club when Dover Coastguard requested the Lifeboat to attend a yacht aground on the Goodwin Sands.

The yacht was found aground on North Sand Head to the south of the Goodwin Knoll buoy. The Belgian yacht "Moonlight Shadow" was large at 44 feet long, had two adults and two children on board and the tide was falling. Although the weather was calm, there can be breaking seas as the tide goes out on the Goodwin Sands. The yacht was firmly aground with breaking seas around it and gradually going further onto its side.

The lifeboat could not tow the yacht off the Sands and the crew on board were safe, but uncomfortable. The helmsman decided to wait as close to the casualty yacht as possible until the tide began to rise sufficiently for the yacht to be refloated. Walmer Lifeboat was relieved by Ramsgate Lifeboat and the yacht was recovered as darkness fell.

Nicola Goodban was helmsman on the Walmer Lifeboat and said "This casualty is a result of the Goodwin Sands moving. The chart shows that there should be 5 metres of water where the yacht grounded, but the vessel has high and dry on the sand at low water. Always be cautious when navigating around the Goodwin Sands."

The rafts from the regatta were towed back by the Walmer "D class" inshore lifeboat.

John Turgoose
Walmer Lifeboat Press Officer

Volunteers Needed

You don't have to be a crusty old sea dog to volunteer for the modern RNLI. If you would like to know more, please follow this link. Read More....

1950's rescue article by David Chamberlain

The gallant crew of the Walmer Lifeboat would have felt slightly uncomfortable in the plush surroundings of the Royal Hotel. Although this Deal hotel was frequented by Nelson in the past, it was not the normal drinking establishment of these men. They were being honoured by the French Consul-General...... to read more

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Exercise Dates For August

Pending

Events 2010

Wednesday 28th July Regatta Display

Saturday 14th August Dover Regatta display 1300hrs