Dover’s RNLI lifeboat was launched at 0130 on Sunday morning following reports that a liferaft had been spotted drifting approximately 10 miles out in the channel near the Varne Light vessel.
Dover Lifeboat “City Of London II” left her berth with a crew of seven led by 2nd Coxswain James Clapham in winds of 25 knots and moderate sea conditions. On arrival at the scene the liferaft was quickly spotted and it was established that it was empty. Dover Coastguard confirmed that a ship had lost a liferaft overboard the previous evening in the stormy conditions.The liferaft was taken in tow by the lifeboat which then proceeded back to Dover. The lifeboat was back alongside at 0500.
Dover Lifeboat 2nd Coxswain, James Clapham said “Thankfully this job turned out to be a false alarm but the volunteer crew performed brilliantly in uncomfortable conditions.”
Dover’s RNLI lifeboat was launched late on Friday evening after white flashing lights were spotted by the P&O ferry the Spirit Of Britain about a mile off the Port Of Dover’s eastern entrance.
Dover Lifeboat “City Of London II” left her berth at 2330 with a crew of seven led by Deputy 2nd Coxswain Lee Riddell in winds of 50 knots and rough sea conditions. Dover Coastguard also launched the all weather lifeboat from Ramsgate and a RAF search and rescue helicopter. A large area in and around the Goodwin Sands was searched by the lifeboats with nothing found. Dover Coastguard subsequently received a message from the motor vessel Hatherly that in the atrocious sea conditions they had lost overboard a six person liferaft and it was confirmed that that was the source of the lights. The search was then stood down with Dover Lifeboat arriving back at her berth at 0330
Dover Lifeboat Deputy 2nd Coxswain, Lee Riddell said “Thankfully this job turned out to be a false alarm but the volunteer crew performed brilliantly in awful and uncomfortable conditions.”
Dover’s RNLI lifeboat was launched on service for the first time this year on Saturday morning after a Liberian-registered cargo ship, heading towards Genoa in Italy, passed between a tug and a smaller vessel it was towing, causing serious damage
The Dungeness lifeboat was initially sent to the scene, but was replaced by the Dover’s RNLI Severn class lifeboat, the City Of London II and the Galatea, a Trinity House vessel.Dover Lifeboat left the port shortly before midday with a volunteer crew of seven and rendezvoused with the casualty vessels just before 1400. The cargo ship continued down the coast and anchored off the Sussex port of Newhaven.
Due to the crew of the tug suffering from tiredness, the tow of the damaged vessel was taken up by the Galatea with Dover Lifeboat providing an escort and the long, slow passage back to Dover was started. The vessels eventually arrived back in Dover shortly before 2300 on Saturday evening with the lifeboat and its crew having been at sea for almost 12 hours.
Lifeboat Operations Manager at Dover, Roy Couzens said “This was a long arduous service for our volunteer crew which thankfully resulted in no-one being injured.”
The volunteer crew of Dover’s RNLI lifeboat were kept busy over the festive period with two service calls in contrasting conditions.
Dover Lifeboat “City Of London II” firstly left her berth at 1610 on Christmas Eve following a request from Dover Coastguard to investigate a
liferaft that was adrift approximately 10 miles of the port, that had been spotted by the P&O ferry Spirit of Britain and which was standing by. In rough sea conditions the liferaft was recovered by the lifeboat and found to be empty. The lifeboat then returned to the port and the liferaft was handed over to the Coastguard. Continue reading
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RNLI lifeboats and lifeguards were kept busy this summer, with the charity’s lifeboats launching 4,300 times – the most in 24 years – and lifeguards attending 14,814 incidents.
Whilst most were enjoying the prolonged sunshine and the hottest summer for seven years* on the beaches and around the coast, RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards were out helping those in trouble in British and Irish waters.
The busiest lifeboat station over the summer period (1 June to 31 August) was Tower on the River Thames which was called out 176 times. The busiest coastal station, and second busiest station overall, was Southend on Sea which launched 104 times. The most common cause for call out was water craft with machinery failure.
George Rawlinson, RNLI Operations Director said: ‘With more people flocking to the coast over the summer months RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards have been very busy keeping people safe. The commitment shown by our lifesavers never fails to impress me, and once again they have shown true dedication to saving lives at sea.’
Volunteer lifeboat crew have been involved in a number of dramatic rescues this summer.
The volunteer crew of Dover’s RNLI Lifeboat were pleased to welcome many supporters during their annual open day which was held on Saturday 3rd August. The event was opened by the Dover Sea Cadet band and was attended by the Mayor of Dover, Ronnie Philpotts.
Visitors to the lifeboat station, which is situated on Crosswall Quay were able to meet the crew and were given guided tours of the town’s Severn class lifeboat the City Of London II.
Dover’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Roy Couzens said that the day had been huge success and that it was so good to welcome the many supporters of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to the station and let them see where the money they put in collection boxes was being used to save lives at sea.
Its our Open Day this Saturday 3rd August. Come & say hello… meet the crew, have look around our fabulous lifeboat and buy some RNLI souvenirs in our shop. Its open between 9.30 & 4.30 this Saturday on Crosswall Quay Dover. See you there! 
Dover Lifeboat volunteer crew members are used to battling the elements on the water but this week they go to War and Peace on dry land.
Thanks to the organisers of this week’s War & Peace Revival taking place at the Folkestone Racecourse, Dover’s RNLI crew & collectors will have full access to the site to meet visitors to the event, accept donations and to raise the profile of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Continue reading
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RNLIDover Good luck to everyone running today for the #rnli Hope there isn't too much chaffing! #ouchy
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RNLIDover Heading home #rnli http://t.co/e33U3cnObS
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RNLIDover Dover Lifeboat launching on service to reports of a dinghy partly submerged between Shakespeare Beach & Samphire Hoe http://t.co/kek4kvgINy
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RNLIDover RT @TowerRNLI : Video of our rescue of a person from the water by HMS Belfast yesterday evening. http://t.co/EPm2tohCWr More info at http://…
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RNLIDover RT @TowerRNLI : We have been set a challenge to see how far this picture can travel on twitter - A RT is easy and costs nothing! http://t.co …
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RNLIDover Dover Lifeboat launching on service : details to follow http://t.co/Il9v9M2HJa
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RNLIDover RT @DoverFerryPhoto : @RNLI Dover @RNLI Dover Lifeboat heading out `on service' this afternoon #outonashout #rnli #lifesaver http://t.co/rixe…
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