Lifeboat volunteers kept busy over Christmas

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' first left her berth at 4:10pm 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 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 port and the liferaft handed over to the Coastguard.

The second call came just before 7am on Sunday 29th December when the lifeboat and its volunteer crew were tasked to assist the Folkestone based fishing vessel 'Danny Boy' which was taking on water between Dover and Folkestone. On arrival at the scene the fishing boat was making its own way after its crew had made some emergency repairs, so the lifeboat escorted her back to the port of Dover where 'Danny Boy' was immediately lifted out of the water. The lifeboat and its crew then returned to station.

Lifeboat Operations Manager, Roy Couzens said: "Even at this time of year, when most people are spending time with their families, our volunteers are ready to drop everything and put to sea to help others. This is only possible because of the efforts of the community of Dover who raise money to keep the lifeboat afloat."

Photos: RNLI Dover