Ramsgate Lifeboat
Service Call 61
25th December @ 10:08 ILB launched to a paddle boarder in difficulty off Joss Bay, with a lost paddle. The ILB stood by, along with a pilot boat whilst the paddleboarder made their way slowly back to shore. Once the paddleboarder was safely ashore in the safe hands of Margate Mobile Coastguards the ILB and Pilot boat made their way back to Ramsgate Harbour.
Service Call 60
5th December @ 14:20 ILB launched to two persons cut off by the tide near North Foreland. Once on scene a crewman went ashore and once an assessment had been made the decision was taken to get the Coastguard Cliff Rescue team to descend the cliff and lift the persons to safety. ILB remained on scene until both casualties were safe.
The Volunteer lifeboat crew being winched up the cliff by HM Coastguard, note the OK chalked onto the wall.
Photo taken by RNLI crew member Jodie Winch from onboard the inshore lifeboat.
Service Call 59
11th November @ 08:16 ILB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to a report of a lifejacket floating 200m off shore at Joss Bay. On arrival at scene the floating item turned out to be a red fuel tank from an outboard engine.  Once UK Coastguard were informed, the ILB was given permission to return to station with the fuel can.
Service Call 58
18th October @ 11:39 ILB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to a suspected person in difficulty in the water at Dumpton Gap.  ILB left the harbour to attend, but were stood down at 11:45 and returned to station.  False alarm with good intent.
Service Call 57
17th October @ 00:58 ILB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to a lone yachtsman in a 30ft yacht with engine failure 4 miles off Ramsgate.  On scene the ILB transferred one crewman aboard the yacht to assist the severely fatigued yachtsman with lowering his sails and attaching the tow line. Once all was ready the ILB towed the casualty into Ramsgate Harbour and assisted with mooring his yacht.
Service Call 56
12th October @ 14:27 ILB launched to a small yacht with engine failure and one person on board. Comms with the casualty were very poor, but was picked up by Ramsgate Port Control, who contacted the Lifeboat Station. Lifeboat station then contacted UK Coastguard and launched the ILB directly. On scene the ILB passed a line and towed the casualty into Ramsgate Harbour.
Photo by Ramsgate RNLI
Service Call 54 & 55
1st October @ 01:50 both boats launched at the request of UK Coastguard who were receiving a signal from an activated EPIRB somewhere between Ramsgate and Deal. ILB made their way up the river Stour, whilst the AWB searched between Ramsgate and Deal.  The ILB picked up the signal from the EPIRB which showed it to be near Sandwich Marina.  The Coastguard knew the EPIRB belonged to a vessel from Sandwich so the ILB made their way all the way up to Sandwich, with the signal getting stronger as they got nearer. The EPIRB was found aboard a vessel at Sandwich and was taken away by Mobile Coastguards to be de-activated. Both Lifeboats then returned to station.

EPIRB - An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or EPIRB which is used to alert search and rescue services in the event of an emergency. It does this by transmitting a coded message via the free to use, multinational Cospas Sarsat network.
Service Call 53
29th September @ 20:21 ILB launched to a yacht aground in Pegwell Bay.  The yacht ran aground earlier this afternoon on a dropping tide but was in no danger at the time and awaited the next rising tide.  UK Coastguard launched the ILB once the yacht started floatingasit was at risk of causing itself damage as it bounced on the bottom.  On scene the ILB transferred one of their crew aboard the casualty to assist with attaching a line and to assess if any damaged had been done.  Once the ILB had towed the casualty into deeper water the line was released allowing the casualty to make its own way into Ramsgate Harbour with the ILB escorting.
Service Call 52
23rd September @ 23:28 ILB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to assist with a shoreline search for a missing person. As the ILB was just leaving the pier heads the incident was cancelled as the person was found safely ashore.  ILB returned to station.
Service Call 51
22nd September @ 12:41 ILB launched to a small cabin cruiser with engine failure by the North Quern Buoy, 2 persons on board.  On scene the ILB passed a line and towed the casualty into Ramsgate Harbour.
Photo by Ramsgate RNLI
Service Call 50
22nd September @ 05:26 AWB launched to a 9m yacht which collided with a tanker and was being escorted by a local Pilot boat.  Once on scene, the AWB continued to escort the casualty.  Before arriving at Ramsgate, 2 RNLI crew were transferred to the casualty vessel to assist the lone sailor with berthing once in the harbour.
Photo by Ramsgate RNLI
Service Call 49
21st September @ 18:45 ILB launched to a 10m yacht with engine failure off Viking Bay, Broadstairs with no wind at all to sail with . On Scene the ILB passed a line and towed the casualty onto a berth in Ramsgate Harbour.
Photo by Ramsgate RNLI
Service Call 48
13th September @ 17:09 ILB launched to a report of 2 Jet Ski's broken down near the Western Undercliff which was reported by a local Pilot Vessel. On scene the ILB carried out a search in Sandwich Bay but nothing found.  UK Coastguard then contacted the ILB and informed them that the Jet Ski's had made their way to Jet Ski World and were no longer in need of assistance.  ILB returned to station.
Service Call 46 &47
11th September @ 02:56 crew paged to assist if required to a missing person who may be in the water in Ramsgate Harbour. Crew assistance was requested by the Police to carry out a search in the inner and outer harbour. The ILB was launched to search the outer harbour and the AWB's XP boat was launched to search the inner harbour. Both boats carried out an extensive search until 06:10 when the Coastguard decided they were that the area had been thoroughly searched. Police and Mobile Coastguard units also carried out a thorough search on land and the pontoons. All crew then went to Ship Shape for a well needed Breakfast.
Service Call 45
6th September @ 16:42 ILB launched to a yacht with engine failure North of the harbour entrance channel.  On scene the ILB passed a line and towed the casualty into Ramsgate Harbour.
Photo by Ramsgate RNLI
Service Call 44
4th September @ 23:06 ILB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to a small speed boat with two persons on board, in difficulty near the river entrance. The ILB arrived at the given area but were unable to find the casualty. The ILB then decided to slowly make their way up the River Stour, searching for the casualty.  The casualty was sighted near Pfizer and gladly followed the ILB back to Sandwich Quay where they started out from. Once the casualty was safely ashore the ILB made its way back down the river and returned to station.
Service Call 43
29th August @ 09:19 ILB launched to a person in the water by the lighthouse who went over the wall accidentally on a mobility scooter. When the ILB arrived on scene the person had already been pulled from the water by members of the public who saw the incident happen. Ambulance crews were on scene immediately and took over casualty care and mentioned that the casualties core temperature had dropped to 34 degrees. As the casualty was in expert care the ILB returned to station. Mobile Coastguard unit was also in attendance.
Service Call 42
27th August @ 22:53 AWB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to a 32ft yacht with total electrical failure 9nm NE of Ramsgate. Due to the electrical failure the casualty was left with no lighting or navigational equipment except for a hand held VHF.  Once the casualty was located the Lifeboat passed a line and proceeded to tow the casualty into Ramsgate Harbour.
Service Call 41
20th August @ 19:58 AWB launched to a 10m cabin cruiser with engine failure in the Ramsgate Approach Chanel, with 4 persons omboard. AWB passed a line and towed the casualty into harbour.
Photo by Mark Stanford
Service Call 40
20th August @ 13:37 ILB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to 2 kayaks in difficulty off Stone Bay. As the ILB arrived on scene, the 2 kayakers had managed to reach the shore and were met by a Mobile Coastguard unit. ILB returned to station.
Service Call 39
18th August @ 13:34 ILB launched to assist other emergency services to a woman who accidentally went over the cliff at Joss Bay on her Push Bike. On scene 2 of the ILB crew went ashore to give assistance where required to the Police, Ambulance crews, Mobile Coastguard Units and Lifeguards. Air ambulance arrived and landed on the beach near to the incident and once the doctor had treated the casualty they took her aboard the helicopter for extraction to hospital. ILB remained on scene until all other emergency assets had left then returned to station. Rescue 163 attended for a short while, but had to return to Lidd for re-fueling.
Service Call 38
16th August @ 20:24 ILB launched to a small yacht with engine failure in the harbour entrance. On scene the ILB passed a line and towed the casualty into Ramsgate Harbour.
Service Call 37
11th August @ 17:40 ILB launched to 2 persons, 1 on a rubber ring, the other on a paddle board in difficulty South of Ramsgate Harbour. On scene the ILB took the 2 casualties aboard and brought them to the Lifeboat Station where they were able to warm themselves up.
Service Call 36
11th August @ 13:09 ILB launched to a small yacht with engine failure South of the harbour breakwater. On scene the ILB passed a line and towed the casualty into Ramsgate Harbour.
Service Call 35
9th August @ 15:49 ILB launched to 3 people in a dinghy blown from the main beach to under Port Control with 2 Lifeguards in attendance. ON scene the ILB got the 3 casualties aboard and returned them to the beach. They then returned for the Lifeguards and gave them a lift back to the beach.
Service Call 34
9th August @ 12:15 ILB launched to a yacht with engine failure at the back of the breakwater. On scene the ILB passed a line and towed the casualty into Ramsgate Harbour.
Service Call 33
7th August @ 06:50 ILB launched to a report of a paddle boarder in difficulty in Viking Bay. On scene the ILB found an up-turned tender, put a crewman ashore to walk the tender to the harbour and on scene mobile Coastguard unit. ILB returned to station.
Service Call 32
6th August @ 19:56 ILB launched to a report of 2 persons in difficulty opposite boating pool at Pegell Bay. After an extensive search of the area nothing was found - False alarm with good intent.
Service Call 31
5th August @ 13:28 ILB launched to a Day boat at anchor with engine failure just off the slipway at Western Undercliff. ILB arrived on scene, passed a line and towed the casualty onto its berth in the marina at Ramsgate.
Service Call 30
31st July @ 09:34 AWB launched to a barge with engine failure at risk of drifting into the Southern Breakwater. A Wind Farm vessel reached the casualty before it hit the breakwater and towed it into the outer harbour, until the Lifeboat arrived. The AWB then took over the tow, allowing the Wind Farm vessel to continue out to carry on with its work. The AWB then towed the casualty into Ramsgate Harbour.
Service Call 29
30th July @ 12:32 ILB launched to a grounded yacht, with 7 persons on board in Pegwell Bay. On scene the ILB attached a line and attempted to tow the casualty into deeper water, but it was no use, the water was too low . The ILB took 5 of the persons aboard and brought them in to Ramsgate Harbour.

ILB to return later when the tide is high enough to refloat the yacht.
Photo by Mark Stanford
Service Call 28
23rd July @ 17:59 ILB launched to a report of two children in an inflatable kayak by Sandwich Estate, with their mother attempting to swim out and reach them. On scene the ILB found the children to be ok and safe for the time being, so immediately went to get the mother, whom they brought onboard the ILB. They then returned to the kayak and got the two children aboard and then returned them all to the beach, where they were handed over to Deal mobile Coastguard and informed them that the mother has been coughing due to water intake and was cold.
Photo by Mark Stanford
Service Call 27
23rd July @ 13:45 ILB relaunched to a yacht with engine failure off Stone Bay. On scene the ILB passed a line and towed the casualty into Ramsgate Harbour.
Photo by Maz Critchley
Service Call 26
23rd July @ 13:29 ILB launched to a person who fell in the water from his boat at the back of the Southern Breakwater (casualty was wearing a lifejacket). On scene the ILB found the person had managed to get to the breakwater and climb out of the water. Once the casualty had been taken aboard the ILB one of the ILB crew then went aboard the casualties boat and assisted his crewman in bringing the boat back to its mooring. ILB returned to station.
Service Call 25
18th July @ 09:49 ILB launched to a speed boat with engine failure in Pegwell Bay with 2 adults and 2 babies aboard. On scene the ILB passed a line and towed the casualty into Ramsgate Harbour.
Service Call 24
11th July @ 12:58 ILB launched to 2 children cut off by the tide under Port Control. arriving on scene the ILB found the 2 children with an RNLI Lifeguard in attendance. They were then brought aboard the ILB and taken to Ramsgate Main Sands, where they were handed over to the RNLI Lifeguards on duty. The Lifeguard that was in attendance with the 2 casualties made his own way back to the beach.
Service Call 23
5th July @ 08:20 ILB launched to a kite surfer in difficulty in the Sandwich Bay Area. On scene the ILB quickly found the kite surfer and brought him aboard. The board was now safely ashore but his kite was missing. The ILB then carried out an extensive search for the missing kite, but nothing found. The kite surfer was then landed ashore, after which the ILB returned to station
Service Call 22
30th June @ 16:26 ILB launched to a person that had fallen over the harbour wall, seaward side, with the tide rapidly coming in. On scene 2 ILB crew went ashore to assess the casualty and kept his head above water. A 3rd crew member came ashore with the stretcher and with the help of the other 2, got the casualty into it. He was then taken to the ILB in the stretcher, and once secure rushed back to the boathouse where an ambulance crew were waiting.
Service Call 21
30th June @ 10:27 ILB launched to a small pleasure craft with steering difficulties off Broadstairs pier with one person on board. On scene the ILB put one crewmember aboard to attach a line and then towed the casualty back to Ramsgate.
Photo by Ramsgate RNLI
Service Call 20
27th June @ 07:32 AWB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to a RIB in difficulty East of the Goodwin Sands. On scene the casualties were taken aboard another vessel that was in the area, allowing the lifeboat to tow the RIB back to Ramsgate.
Service Call 19
26th June @ 21:41 ILB launched to the assistance of a 29ft yacht with engine failure, 1 mile north of Ramsgate. On scene the ILB passed a line and towed the casualty in to Ramsgate.
Service Call 18
26th June @ 15:50 On returning to station after incident 17, the ILB was diverted to a small cabin cruiser with engine failure behind the Southern Breakwater. On scene the ILB attached a line and towed the casualty into the harbour.
Photo by Ramsgate RNLI
Service Call 17
26th June @ 15:21 ILB launched to a report of a group of people cut off by the tide near Stone Bay. On scene the ILB crew saw the 9 persons making their way carefully back to the main beach. Once the ILB crew were happy that the persons were safe, made their way back to Ramsgate. False alarm with good intent.
Service Call 16
20th June @ 04:12 ILB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to assist the police at Dumpton Gap with a person in the water. When the ILB arrived on scene, the person had been retrieved from the water by the police. ILB released and returned to station.
Service Call 15
17th June @ 12:13 AWB launched to a report of a small RIB in difficulty NW of the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm. On scene the AWB took the casualties aboard and with the RIB in tow, returned to Ramsgate.
Service Call 14
16th June @ 11:14 AWB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to a RIB in difficulty 20 miles NE of Ramsgate.
Photo by Sarah Hewes
Service Call 13
13th June @ 18:27 ILB launched to the assistance of a yacht with mechanical failure off Dumpton Gap, which was at the time being towed by a local Ramsgate yacht. On scene the ILB swapped tow with the yacht and towed the casualty into Ramsgate Harbour.
Service Call 12
9th June @ 15:41 AWB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to a Dutch Barge with engine failure. Communication between the Coastguard and the casualty were very poor and an accurate position was difficult to obtain. A Coastguard spotter plane was in the area and after a quick search, spotted the casualty and were able to give the Coastguard operations room an accurate position.

The AWB made its way to the position given (NE of the Thanet Offshore Windfarm), but found nothing in the area. The AWB called the casualty by VHF and were able to get an accurate heading for the casuaty from the onboard Direction Finder. On arriving on scene, the casualty was making way under its own power, hence not in the position originally reported. Having broken down twice, it was decided by the Coxswain to escort the casualty into Ramsgate.
Photo by Steve Burton
Service Call 11
7th June @ 16:30 ILB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to a broken down 27ft yacht off Dumpton Gap. On scene the ILB passed a line and towed the casualty into Ramsgate Harbour.
Photo by Ramsgate RNLI
Service Call 10
4th June @ 18:38 ILB launched to a 50ft passenger style boat with engine failure just South of the Ramsgate Approach Chanel. On scene the ILB stood by whilst the casualty vessel retrieved their anchor. They then towed them into Ramsgate Harbour.
Photo by Ramsgate RNLI
Service Call 9
29th May @ 12:58 ILB launched at the request of UK Coastguard, after receiving a pan pan from a motor cruiser with engine failure off Dumpton Gap. Arriving on scene the ILB passed a line and once the casualty had retrieved their anchor, towed them into Ramsgate Harbour.

On entering the outer harbour the ILB helm gave some safety advice to 2 persons on an inflatable kayak.
Photo by Mark Stanford
Service Call 8
26th May @ 11:22 AWB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to a report from a passing ship, of a vessel broken down near the Foxtrot Buoy. On scene the casualties were taken aboard the AWB and brought ashore, with their vessel in tow.
Service Call 7
21st May @ 21:09 ILB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to a jet Ski with 2 persons in difficulty near Stone Bay. On scene 2 ILB crew went ashore and brought the jet ski out to the ILB and made it ready for towing. The 2 jet ski riders were taken aboard the ILB, which then made its way to the jet ski launch area near the Ramsgate Tunnels. Once the jet ski and riders were landed safely ashore the ILB returned to station.
Service Call 5 & 6
14th April @ 02:30 both AWB & ILB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to a report of a person reported missing. Both boats carried out a thorough search of the area, along with Mobile Coastguard units shoreside. After an hours search a report came in that the missing person was reported to be safely ashore. Once this had been confirmed by the police, both boats were released and returned to station.
Service Call 4
7th April @ 09:54 ILB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to a report from a member of the public of persons cut off by the tide at Dumpton Gap. ILB arrived on scene and after carrying out a thorough search of the area found no persons in difficulty.
Service Call 3
14th March @ 19:33 AWB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to a 9m yacht with fouled propeller, East of the Thanet Offshore Windfarm. Whilst on route we received an updated position for the casualty, which had now drifted even further away.

Once on scene the AWB passed a line and started the tow back to Ramsgate. With the deteriorating sea conditions it was only possible to tow the casualty at 4.5 - 5 knots in order to minimise the possibility of damage to the vessel or injury to the 3 persons onboard.

On arrival at Ramsgate Harbour the casualty was berthed on a pontoon, assisted by a Coastguard mobile unit who assist with mooring the casualty shoreside. AWB ready for service 01:15 Sunday morning.
Service Call 2
11th March @ 14:46 ILB launched at the request of Port Control to the assistance of a local fishing boat with engine failure just off Ramsgate channel which, due to the tidal flow and direction, was in immediate danger of being grounded ashore.
On scene the ILB attached a line and towed the casualty into Ramsgate Harbour, onto its berth.
Service Call 1
15th February @ 06:28 AWB launched at the request of UK Coastguard to assist with a search for a report of a missing person from a commercial vessel. Margate AWB and Coastguard helicopter are also in attendance.

At around 12:00 Margate AWB found a body matching the description of the missing crewman. All assets then returned to their home stations.
Photo by Sarah Hewes
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