Person Spotted in Treacherous Sea Sparks Dramatic Lifeboat Rescue off Margate
Margate’s RNLI lifeboat crew launched a rescue mission after a report of a person in the sea amid some of the UK’s worst weather in decades. The call came in at 4.30pm Friday 2 March, alerting HM Coastguard that someone was spotted off Westgate-on-Sea.
Stormy Seas and Freezing Conditions Hamper Rescue
Margate’s inshore lifeboat was scrambled alongside the Coastguard Rescue Team and Kent Police. The conditions were brutal — gale-force easterly winds, heavy seas, falling snow, and temperatures hovering around freezing. Roads and footpaths were glazed with sheet ice and snow, turning simple access to the lifeboat station into a treacherous task for the crew.
Search Operation Finds Extreme Sports Enthusiast Safe Ashore
The lifeboat braved wild seas to begin a shoreline search near Westgate-on-Sea. Meanwhile, coastguards on land made enquiries. The person was soon found safe on shore. Kent Police revealed he was an extreme sports enthusiast who had ventured into the sea to “explore the terrible weather conditions.” Once confirmed safe and in good company with search teams, the lifeboat headed back to base.
RNLI Warns: Don’t Brave Sea in Extreme Weather Without Letting Authorities Know
“The lifeboat crew faced challenges even before they set out to sea given the adverse weather. It was understandable that the sight of a person in the sea today prompted a 999 call to the emergency services and we are grateful that they responded in that way,” said Nick Smith, Deputy Launching Authority at Margate Lifeboat.
“We strongly urge extreme sports enthusiasts to contact the coastguard if they intend to put out to sea in these current extreme conditions.”
