Dog, Pair Cut Off by Tide Sparks Lifeboat Rescue
Margate’s RNLI lifeboat crew raced into action last Sunday afternoon after two people and a dog were trapped by the rising tide between Joss Bay and Stone Bay in Broadstairs.
The alarm sounded around 4pm when HM Coastguard got a distress call. Margate’s D-class inshore lifeboat shot out to the scene, joined by the Margate Coastguard Rescue Team searching cliffs and shoreline. The lifeboat scoured the waters near the strand.
No Trace Found in Tense Coast Search
Despite the massive search effort, no sign of the stranded trio was found. Rescue teams combed the area thoroughly before standing down. It’s believed the pair and their dog managed to escape danger on their own.
“After a thorough search, it is assumed the two people and the dog were able to make their own way to safety,” said Lifeboat Operations Manager Lee Button.
Warning: Check Tide Times Before You Go
Button urged caution: “We urge people to check local tide times before venturing along the foreshore and around headlands. High tide info for Margate or anywhere else is easy to find online.”
Rough north-easterly winds and choppy seas made self-rescue risky on the day, Button added.
“If anyone finds themselves cut off by the tide, they should stay put in a safe spot and call 999 for the Coastguard, or try to attract help from nearby,” he warned.
RNLI: Lifesaving Charity Needs Your Support
The RNLI and Coastguard stress the importance of tide awareness, especially during busy holiday periods when more people hit the coast.
As an independent charity, not government funded, the RNLI has saved over 142,700 lives since 1824. It depends on public donations to keep its lifesaving crews afloat.
