A busy day for the lifeboat today.

Whilst out on exercise Gravesend Lifeboat was requested to assist a broken down power boat in the area of Barking, the Lifeboat made best speed and found the casualty under tow from a smaller rib, it was requested that the Lifeboat assist the vessel in the tow as the tide was slowing the rib down and hardly making any way.

The Lifeboat gave assistance with the tow to Barking Creek as both boats were from Barking rowing club. Whilst en route the crew saw three young youths the wrong side of the barrier on the A13 Flyover. The Lifeboat alerted the Coastguard who alerted the Met Police. At the sametime one of the crew used the onboard PA system to advise the youths that they were in danger of slipping into the river. After a few minutes the youths took the safety advice and climbed the barrier back to safety. The youths then left the scene before the Police arrived.

The lifeboat then completed the tow and both boats were secured alongside a pontoon. A brief investigation showed that the cause of the breakdown had been a battery fault and the owners were able to locate a spare battery and change it. As the boat was then running fine, both boats and the Lifeboat left Barking creek. The boats were heading to a slipway at Woolwich reach. Once the boats were seen to be running fine in the main reach the Lifeboat was stood down and started to return to station.

Before the Lifeboat had got back to the station they were called again as the second boat (the Rib) had now broken down. The Lifeboat returned and gave assistance to the second boat. They were taken to the slipway where both boats were recovered. The Lifeboat was then released and returned to station.

Click here for photo 1

Click here for photo 2

The lifeboat launched to assist a 17' sailing vessel that was unable to proceed under sail, but had no fuel for its auxiliary engine.

The lifeboat found the craft alongside Crossness Jetty. It was taken under tow, and placed on a mooring at Greenwich yacht Club.

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The lifeboat launched to a report of a female threatening to jump from Erith Deep Water jetty.

On arrival the crew were informed that the woman had been taken into Police Custody. The lifeboat therefore returned to station.

The lifeboat launched to a report of a man collapsed on a small tanker alongside at Dagenham. Due to the poor condition of the ladders on the berth, a transfer by lifeboat would be required.

On arrival the man, in his sixties and the captain of the vessel, was found to be conscious, but feeling very unwell.

He was taken aboard the lifeboat, and landed ashore to an ambulance at Erith Causeway.

Whilst on passage in Gravesend Reach, outbound from London, the Type 23 frigate HMS Westminster was disembarking visitors down a rope ladder onto a passenger vessel alongside.

Without warning, the bow rope between the warship and passenger vessel parted, resulting in the female who was on the ladder at the time falling into the water.

Gravesend Lifeboat, which had been on exercise keeping the vessels under observation during the transfer, immediately moved in to recover the woman.

She was brought aboard the lifeboat and wrapped in blankets, before being landed ashore at the lifeboat station to await an ambulance.

Whilst out on exercise, the lifeboat was requested by the Coastguard to a vessel seen adrift in Gravesend reach. The rowing boat was found unoccupied and aground, and it could clearly be seen that it had broken its mooring. Attempts to refloat the craft failed and so the vessel was secured to a pier. The lifeboat then returned to station.

The duty night crew returned to the vessel at high tide and towed the rowing boat to a mooring buoy.

The lifeboat was launched to a report of two boys cut off by the tide on the shore line at Northfleet, and in danger of being swept away by the incoming tide. The Coastguard estimated there was very little time left to get to them.

There was some initial confusion as to their precise location, but the lifeboat crew were able to locate the boys by the backlight from their mobile phones. When the lifeboat found the boys they were waist deep in the water. A large vessel was also due to pass, so it was imperative that the lifeboat was able to recover the boys before the wake from the large vessel arrived.

Having recovered the boys to the lifeboat they were then taken back to Royal Terrace Pier, where their parents were contacted.

The lifeboat was requested by Thames Coastguard to go to Holehaven creek and search for a broken down jet ski. Shortly after arriving on scene the lifeboat discovered a derelict jet ski drifting, which had no engine and showed no signs of recent occupation. The lifeboat took the jet ski in tow and handed it over to Canvey Island Coastguard team at Holehaven Causeway.

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The lifeboat was requested to assist with a casualty extraction in Barking creek. Rescue helicopter 125 had also been tasked to assist, but was stood down before arrival on scene. The lifeboat proceeded up Barking creek until they reach a lock gate, at this point two crew members proceeded on foot.

The crew members arrived to find the ambulance service treating the casualty, who had fallen into the water. The fire brigade were also on scene to assist. All 3 services then worked together to carry the casualty over a raft of barges and into the ambulance.

The lifeboat diverted from exercise to a report of a man having entered the water at West Thurrock. Upon arrival people ashore were pointing to the location of the man near Stoneness Lighthouse. The man was recovered to the lifeboat and landed ashore at Royal Terrace Pier to a waiting ambulance.

The lifeboat launched after a white flare and other white lights were reported to have been sighted near Scars Elbow off Canvey Island. Shortly after arriving the police informed Thames Coastguard that they had come across a number of youths and confirmed the group was responsible for launching the flare. The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to station.

The lifeboat launched to assist a man who had fallen from Chainrock Jetty, Holehaven, and had landed in the mud.

When the lifeboat arrived, a police helicopter was hovering overhead to provide illumination, and Canvey Coastguards were standing by on the shore.

One of the lifeboat crew, attached by a safety line and carrying the basket stretcher, approached the man. However, he declined to be rescued. Due to the darkness, the rising tide and the cold, a second crew member then went to assist the first, and the man was eventually brought aboard the lifeboat.

He was landed ashore into the care of the Coastguard and the ambulance service.

The lifeboat launched to assist a 30' angling boat broken down off Allhallows.

As the lifeboat was proceeding the casualty called to say they had been able to restart their engine. However, Thames CG advised them to remain at anchor until the lifeboat arrived, due to the rough conditions and poor visibility.

On arrival the lifeboat put a crewman on board, then escorted the vessel to its mooring in Holehaven.

London Coastguard requested the lifeboat to an injured crew member on board a small tug at Erith. The crew member had been briefly knocked out after being hit in the face by the wheel on the helm, which had also caused cuts to his face.

Two lifeboat crew boarded the tug and found the casualty to be conscious but slightly dazed. After making an initial assessment the lifeboat crew were joined by a paramedic who had been brought to the tug by a work boat. The paramedic agreed the casualty could be assisted onto the lifeboat and then taken to a waiting ambulance at Erith Causeway.

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The lifeboat launched to a report of a woman in the water off Gravesend Promenade. 

Arriving on scene two minutes later the crew found the harbour service launch already alongside the casualty, but unable to recover her to the high freeboard.

She was therefore brought aboard the lifeboat, wrapped in blankets and given oxygen.

The woman, who was in a distressed state, was landed ashore to a waiting ambulance at the Royal Terrace Pier.

The lifeboat launched after concern was raised for the wellbeing of a man alone aboard a tug on a mooring at Erith.

He had not picked up his crew as arranged, and attempts to contact him by both mobile phone and VHF had been unsuccessful.

Whilst the lifeboat was en route another tug had gone alongside first, and had been able to report that the man was OK, having merely overslept.

The lifeboat launched to a report of a female stuck in the mud at Greenhithe.

Arriving six minutes after launching, the lifeboat was able toget within twenty five feet of the casualty, who had been taking part in a field trip when she got stuck.

A crewman slid across the mud, with the basket stretcher on a safety line, and was able to free the woman, who had sunk in as far as her thighs.

She was then brought aboard the lifeboat, and landed ashore to a waiting ambulance at Greenhithe Causeway.

The lifeboat launched to a report of a small open boat adrift; at the time of the call it was not clear whether anyone was, or had been on board.

The lifeboat found the craft to be in a derelict condition, with no signs of recent occupation. As it would have posed a hazard to navigation if left to drift, it was towed to a safe mooring.

The lifeboat launched to search for a distressed male who had indicated the he intended to enter the river at Gravesend promenade.

The lifeboat commenced a search downtide from the promenade, whilst police shore units searched along the shoreline.

After a few minutes, it was reported that the police had found the man and taken him into protective custody, so the lifeboat returned to station.

The lifeboat launched to a report of a small power boat broken down near Erith.

On arrival the craft was found to be high & dry, so the two occupants were taken aboard the lifeboat, and landed ashore at Erith Causeway.

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The coastguard requested the lifeboat after a report of a missing 8 year old girl who was last seen heading towards the river near Erith. The police were searching on shore, in addition to this a police boat had been tasked to join the search from Wapping and Essex police helicopter was on route to join the search.

Shortly after the lifeboat arrived on scene and commenced the search the girl was found safe and well by police on shore. The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to station.

The lifeboat launched to assist a motor cruiser drifting near the QE2 Bridge, having suffered engine failure.

A crewman was put aboard, and the craft taken in tow.

However, during the tow, the crewman was able to restart the cruiser's engine, so the tow was dropped, and the boat escorted to its destination at Denton.

The lifeboat launched to assist a yacht which had suffered a broken rudder, and had been taken under tow by a small coaster.

The coaster towed the yacht to Erith, where a club work boat put the yacht on a mooring. The lifeboat stoodby whilst this took place, and then transferred the crew ashore.

The lifeboat was requested to launch by London CG to a report of an activated distress beacon in the Thurrock area. The Lifeboat searched from Tilbury Ness to the QE2 bridge, checking all moored yachts and outgoing pleasure craft.

The coastguard then tasked an RAF Seaking helicopter from Wattisham which, after a short search, discovered the activated beacon in the car park of a liferaft service company. The Lifeboat was then stood down to return to station.

The lifeboat was contacted by the Port of London Authority to enquire if the lifeboat could assist the Harbour Master. The Harbour Master was alongside a small house boat from Holland, with 3 people on board, that was taking on water through the stern gland. The Harbour Master had a pump on board, but wanted the lifeboat to assist with their salvage pump. After speaking to the lifeboat the PLA contacted the coastguard to inform them and confirm the request for the lifeboat.

The vessel was located in Gravesend reach. Upon arrival the lifeboat put one crew member onto the vessel, who stood by with the salvage pump. Two of the house boat's crew were taken onto the lifeboat as a precaution. The Harbour Master then took the vessel under tow to Denton Wharf under escort from the lifeboat. Once at Denton Wharf the house boat was secured in the slings ready to be lifted out and the lifeboat was then stood down.

The lifeboat launched to a sighting of what was believed to be a body on the waterline  off Gravesend Promenade.

On arrival the lifeboat searched along the low water mark as far east as Clubb's Jetty at Denton.

With nothing untoward found, the lifeboat was released to return to station.

Whilst on exercise in the vicinity of Holehaven Creek the lifeboat was called by London Coastguard and requested to assist a broken down motor cruiser. The motor cruiser, with 5 people on board, was located in Barking reach and had managed to secure themselves to a mooring buoy.

Upon arrival two crew members boarded the vessel. As they were unable to restart the engine the motor cruiser was taken under tow to Erith Yacht Club. Once the vessel was safely moored up, 2 of the crew were put ashore by the lifeboat, whilst the remaining people stayed aboard to arrange repairs.

The lifeboat was requested to launch by London CG after a River Thames Pilot spotted a lone canoeist in the main shipping lane in Sea Reach. The male was found under way showing no signs of distress.

The Port of London Authority had been concerned for the man's welfare, and this was passed on to the casualty. He had a handheld VHF, GPS, and a mobile phone. The lifeboat passed on relevant safety advice and was stood down by the CG.

The lifeboat launched to a report of a male threatening to jump from the QE2 Bridge, Dartford.

Shortly after leaving the berth the lifeboat was stood down, as the person was now in Police custody.

The lifeboat launched following a report from a passing ship of a man on a small yacht waving for assistance near Coalhouse Point.

On arrival the lifeboat passed a towline, and took the craft under tow to its mooring at Thurrock Yacht Club.

The lifeboat carried out a search in Sea Reach following a report of a red flare off St Mary's Bay.

Nothing untoward was found, and the call was classified as a false alarm, with good intent.

A distressed female was reported to be in the water by St Andrews Church in Gravesend. Upon arrival the lifeboat crew found the female in the mud and a lifeboat crewman waded to her. The crew member reassured her and assisted her to a waiting ambulance.

The lifeboat was called to a 20ft sailing yacht with engine failure at Mucking 5 buoy in Lower Hope Reach. The lifeboat initially took the yacht under tow and took them out of the fairway. They then proceeded to tow the yacht back to Gravesend Canal basin. During the tow the lifeboat crew put the salvage pump on board the yacht as a precaution as the yacht had taken on a small amount of water earlier on.

Holehaven Coastwatch expressed concern for a man walking out along the Chainrock Jetty at the entrance to Holehaven Creek.

On arrival the lifeboat crew established communications with the man, who indicated that all was well, and he was kept under observation as he walked back along the jetty to the shore.

The lifeboat launched to a report of an ill female aboard a barge. When the lifeboat arrived the woman was found to be suffering from dehydration and sickness. The lifeboat crew brought her aboard the lifeboat, and landed at the Royal Terrace Pier. She was then taken to hospital by ambulance.

On the way back from the previous service the Lifeboat spotted a partially capsized yacht tender with one person trying to board the tender from their yacht. This occurred just off Erith Yacht Club. The lifeboat assisted in freeing the tender and gave the occupants safety advice.

Gravesend Lifeboat was requested to launch to a broken down speed boat near Barking Creek. The speed boat had 4 persons on board and was towed to Gallions Point where it had originally launched from.

Gravesend Lifeboat was requested by Thames Coastguard to assist a yacht neat the West Leigh Middle Buoy that had fouled her propellor on a fishing net. Eight minutes after launching the lifeboat was stood down as the casualty had managed to remove the remaining net from her prop and make her own way into deeper water to avoid grounding.

The lifeboat was requested to search for a female stuck in the mud with the tide flooding. The female was reported to be located to the west of Thorney Bay. Whilst the lifeboat was en route it was confirmed that shoreside emergency services had located the woman, the lifeboat was therefore stood down and returned to station.

Gravesend Lifeboat launched to take over the tow of two broken down speedboats. The speedboats where initially being towed by Tower Lifeboat, however Tower Lifeboat received a call to a more urgent incident and had to leave the boats at the nearest safe point, which was QE2 pier, Greenwich.

Gravesend Lifeboat then met the two boats at QE2 pier and took them under tow to Gallions Point Marina.

The lifeboat was launched to a small craft with one person on board believed to be in difficulty at Jenningtree Point. Upon arrival the boat was found to be a fishing boat who was not in need of assistance.

The lifeboat was called to the passenger vessel Princess Pocahontas, where an elderly female passenger was reported to have collapsed and was losing and regaining consciousness.

Two crewmen (one an off-duty paramedic) were put aboard the vessel to assess the casualty, and it was decided there was no need for immediate evacuation.

A short while later the vessel berthed alongside at West Street Pier, Gravesend, where the woman was transferred to a waiting ambulance.

The lifeboat launched to assist a swimmer reported in difficulties at Thorney Bay, Canvey Island.

Whilst en route the lifeboat was stood down as the swimmer had been able to make his own way ashore. The lifeboat then continued on to exercise.

Whilst attending the annual Regatta at Gravesend, the lifeboat was asked to assist with 4 horses in the river near Denton Wharf. Once on scene the four horses were found to be making their way out of the river, having been herded back towards shore by a PLA boat.

A crewmember was put ashore to assist in rounding up the animals and herding them back into their field, and the lifeboat then returned to the Regatta.

Gravesend Lifeboat launched following a report of a woman jumping into the river at Woolwich.

The lifeboat was stood down as it passed Crayfordness as it was confirmed that the woman had been recovered from the water by police.

Both Gravesend Lifeboats were launched to search for a missing person off Thurrock Yacht Club. Two people had attempted to swim out to a moored speedboat, however one had been seen to disappear under the water and not re-surface.

The PLA harbour launch Gunfleet, the Essex police helicopter, Essex police marine unit, and other vessels also took part in the search, whilst police officers carried out a search along the shoreline.

During the operation a private vessel that had been assisting with the search ran out of fuel, and was towed back to its mooring by the Atlantic class lifeboat.

The search was called off at dusk, with nothing found.

See the following links for press coverage:

BBC News

Thurrock Gazette

Sadly, following this incident a body found a week later was confirmed to be the missing person. See the following link for press coverage:

Thurrock Gazette

Whilst on exercise, the lifeboat was alerted to a large motor cruiser which had been seen to hit the Blyth Sands at some speed, and was now firmly aground.

A lifeboat crewman was put aboard the vessel, and checked for leaks and damage whilst it refloated.

The motor cruiser then resumed its passage and, after remaining on board for a while to check all was well, the crewman was recovered and the lifeboat continued on exercise.

The lifeboat launched to Erith where a distressed male had informed his family that he intended to jump from Erith Roro jetty.

The lifeboat, along with a Metropolitan Police Launch carried out a thorough search of the area, however no one matching the description of the person was seen.

The lifeboat was requested to launch by London Coastguard to a report of one or more person in the water at Thurrock Yacht Club. The lifeboat arrived on scene at 1552 and discovered a capsized tender with one casualty in the water clinging to the side of a passing yacht. The crew of the yacht were attempting to recover the casualty by rigging a hoist from the boom. The casualty in the water was tangled in lines and reluctant to let go of the yacht. The lifeboat crew convinced the casualty to let go of the yacht and assisted him to the stern of the lifeboat. All three crew members were needed to assist the casualty onboard the lifeboat, who was then taken to Thurrock Yacht Club where the lifeboat was met by an ambulance. The paramedics assessed the casualty onboard the lifeboat, before transferring him to the ambulance.

At this point it became apparent that a second casualty and a dog had also been in the water, but had managed to get out of the water before the arrival of the lifeboat. The lifeboat then took the paramedic to the yacht and brought the second casualty and the dog ashore. The second casualty was then assessed by the paramedic. Neither of the casualties required hospital treatment and the dog was in good spirits!

The lifeboat carried out a search in Sea Reach following reported sightings of red flares. The lifeboat searched from the Mid Blyth Buoy to All Hallows, then along the north shore from the Chapman Buoy back to Holehaven.

With nothing untoward found, the lifeboat was released to return to station.

Gravesend Lifeboat assists sinking trawler

Gravesend’s RNLI lifeboat was launched on Monday afternoon to assist a 10m (32’) fishing vessel which had reported taking in water off Cliffe Marshes.

The lifeboat, crewed by Andy Colley, Alan Greenstreet and Graham Tassell, located the craft in the vicinity of the West Blyth Buoy. A crewman was put aboard with a salvage pump, and the vessel secured alongside the lifeboat to be taken under tow.

Due to the rate of water ingress, the Sheerness Trent class All-weather lifeboat was also requested to launch, and stood by as the trawler was towed into Holehaven Creek.

With the salvage pump running to keep the water level in check, Gravesend Lifeboat put the trawler ashore inside the creek, to await the falling tide.

It is believed the vessel, with one person on board, had caught its nets in its propeller, and had sustained damage whilst trying to clear the obstruction.

The following photos show volunteer crewman Alan Greenstreet monitoring the salvage pump, as Gravesend Lifeboat tows the trawler towards Holehaven.

Click here for photo 1

Click here for photo 2

The lifeboat launched to a report of a dinghy with two people on board broken down and drifting off Gallions Point, Woolwich.

However, the lifeboat was stood down as it was passing Crayford Ness, as another vessel had taken the dinghy under tow.

The lifeboat launched to assist a small motor cruiser with two people on board, which had suffered engine failure off Greenhithe.

The craft was taken under tow and placed on the RNLI mooring at Gravesend.

The lifeboat was launched to a report of a fire on Purfleet Deep Water Terminal.

On arrival Essex Fire Brigade were already in attendance. The lifeboat remained on scene until the fire was extinguished, then returned to station.

The lifeboat diverted from exercise to assist an 11m yacht at the Sea Reach 7 buoy with a rope round the propeller.

It was not possible to clear the rope in situ, so the vessel was escorted under sail to Denton Wharf, where it was craned out and the 5cm diameter rope cleared. 

The lifeboat launched to assist a speedboat which had been reported as broken down at the West Blyth Buoy by a passing ship.

When the lifeboat arrived the occupants said that a jet ski was on its way with more fuel. The craft was taken under tow towards Holehaven Creek, from which it had launched.

Just off the creek entrance the jet ski arrived, the fuel transferred, and the speedboat was able to enter the creek under its own power.

The lifeboat was requested to launch to children swimming in the river at Bawley Bay, Gravesend. The children were not in any immediate danger, but safety advice was given.

The lifeboat was launched to investigate a capsized canoe reported off Gravesend by a passing ship. The canoe was found to be in a derelict condition, with no signs of recent occupation. The lifeboat then continued on to exercise.

The lifeboat launched to assist a sailing vessel aground on the Blyth Sounds by Egypt Bay. The vessel was found to be aground on a falling tide and could not be refloated. The lifeboat crew checked the crew of the vessel and advised them of when they would refloat.

The lifeboat launched to assist a small tender with one person on board which  was seen to be drifting off the Customs Jetty, Gravesend, with the occupant trying to restart the outboard.

The craft was taken in tow back to a yacht off Gravesend Promenade.

The lifeboat was requested to launch to a distressed male who was threatening to jump from the QE2 Bridge, Dartford.

Once on scene the man was spotted in the centre of the bridge, close to the edge. After 30 minutes he was grabbed by the police who then took him in to custody. The lifeboat was then released to return to station.

The lifeboat station received a phone call from the PLA pilot launch reporting a person on the customs pier at Gravesend threatening to jump into the river.

The crew boarded the lifeboat and remained by the berth in case they were required.

Kent Police attended and after thirty minutes the man was persuaded to leave the pier.

Whilst returning from a previous incident, the lifeboat assisted a yacht after her outboard motor had become detached from the transom.

The yacht was  towed back to her mooring at Thurrock, and the two occupants landed ashore.

The lifeboat launched to a report of a man in the river at Thurrock Yacht Club. He had fallen into the water from a tender whilst trying to board a moored yacht.

On arrival the man was found to have already been recovered from the water by the crew of another boat. However as he was very cold, he was taken aboard the lifeboat and landed ashore to a waiting ambulance.

French yacht aground near the Ovens Buoy. The lifeboat laid out the yachts anchor to seaward, and advised the crew of when they would refloat.

The yacht subsequently refloated without further assistance at 1900.

The lifeboat was diverted from exercise to assist a small speedboat suffering engine problems off Gravesend.

On arrival the craft had got underway again, but requested to be escorted by the lifeboat until safely ashore at Bawley Bay.

The lifeboat launched to assist a small motor cruiser which appeared to be having engine problems. The vessel had secured a line to the Customs jetty, but had run out of fuel. The occupants were put ashore at Newbridge Causeway and then taken back to their vessel once they had got fuel.

 

The lifeboat was launched following a report of a person walking towards the middle of  the QE2 Bridge.

On arrival no one was visible on the bridge, so a search was commenced, firstly in the centre of the river, and then along both shorelines.

With nothing found, or any confirmation that the person had actually jumped, the lifeboat was released to return to station.

 

London Coastguard requested the lifeboat to investigate a small vessel possibly in difficulties alongside the south caisson of the QE2 Bridge.

Once on scene the vessel was found to be acting as safety boat for workers on the elevated gantry on the Bridge, and was not in difficulties.

 

The lifeboat was called to assist a woman reported to be stuck in the mud on the foreshore near Greenhithe Causeway.

When the lifeboat arrived it was found that the woman, who had been stuck up to her knees, had been able to free herself, and was now safely ashore.

 

Gravesend Lifeboat was requested to carry out a search for a missing male who had informed his family that he intended to jump into the river from the jetty at Cliffe Fort. His car was found by his family at this location, but with no sign of him.

The lifeboat searched close inshore between Cliffe Fort and the Lower Hope Buoy, whilst the PLA harbour launch "Gunfleet" also searched further from the shore.

At 2059 the search was terminated, as the man had been found safe on Higham Marshes.

 

The lifeboat was diverted from exercise to a report of a moored yacht taking water off Greenhithe.

The lifeboat arrived on scene but was unable to find a yacht in difficulties. A further call from someone ashore revealed that the yacht, and its mooring buoy, had sunk just prior to the lifeboat's arrival.
 

The lifeboat was diverted from exercise to assist a 40' yacht aground on the Blyth Sands, off All Hallows. Southend Lifeboat was also requested to launch.

The yacht had two anchors out, but was being driven onto the sand by the strong onshore wind.

A lifeboat crewman was put aboard the yacht, which was then towed off into deeper water, with a crewman from Southend Lifeboat assisting.

The yacht was towed across the river into the lee of Canvey Island, before continuing on passage to London.
 

Launched to a yacht in difficulties off Erith. The yacht was found hanging onto a mooring buoy just off the shoreline. It was towed by the lifeboat out to a suitable mooring, and the two occupants landed ashore onto Erith Causeway.

A yacht had broken from it's mooring and ran aground. The owner had boarded the yacht and got it to the end of the Canvey Coastwatch pier at Holehaven, where he was found by the lifeboat struggling to hold on to the pier. The yacht was brought along side the lifeboat and towed to a secure mooring. The 2 people on board were landed safely on the coast watch pier, at which point the owner suffered an asthma attack.

Click here for a picture of the yacht

Kent Police requested the lifeboat to assist three children cut off by the tide on the foreshore at Northfleet. The children were landed ashore at West St pier into the care of their parents and Kent Police.

Checked angling boat thought to have gone aground in dense fog at Shornmead. Found safely anchored out of the channel.

Van crashed over the sea wall into the river near Dartford. Lifeboat searched to make sure no persons in the water or trapped in the vehicle.

Landed a person ashore from a motor cruiser at the entrance to Holehaven after a disturbance on board.
 

Both Lifeboats were called whilst out on exercise to search for a distressed male who had escaped from the back of an ambulance at Aveley, and was last seen heading for the river, intent on self-harm. The male was found ashore and taken into Police custody.

Suicidal male missing at Thamesmead. Found safe ashore before lifeboat arrival.

Assisted the Met Police in recovering a body near the entrance to Barking Creek.

Called to two teenagers cut off by the tide aboard the old Gull lightship next to Thurrock Yacht Club. Brought aboard lifeboat & landed ashore.

Click here for the story in the Thurrock Gazette

A moored tug reported a small motor vessel apparently in difficulties off Tilburyness. On arrival, craft found to be OK, although very low in the water and with a smoky engine.