Gravesend RNLI

Congratulations to volunteers Glenn Jackson & Rod Dorrington who have both recently successfully passed through the Operational Competency Framework (OCF).

Both joined Gravesend RNLI last summer, so this is a real achievement to gain Tier 1 pass out and testament to their determination in help saving lives on the River Thames.

Please join us in congratulating both!

We're excited to announce we'll be attending the Gravsham Riverside Festival on Saturday 6th July 2024 at Gravesend Promenade from 11am.

Besides lots of live music and family fun activities, you'll have the chance to come and meet our amazing volunteers - from fundraisers, water safety officers and lifeboat crew.

Find more info here https://www.gravesham.gov.uk/riversidefestival

There are many creeks on the River Thames. Creeks are small tidal inlets that run off the main river - our RNLI volunteers recently carried out a joint exercise in Barking Creek with London Fire Brigade.

At the entrance to the creek is the flood defence barrier as seen raised in the photo, Barking Creek joins the River Roding to the River Thames. It is fully tidal up to the Barking Barrage (a weir), which impounds a minimum water level through Barking.

Our volunteer crew were out on the Thames last night, they were treated to this beautiful sunset under Queen Elizabeth II Bridge captured by Rob 🌅

Gravesend RNLI’s volunteer crew are ready to respond in any weather, at any time of the day or night – even when it’s pitch black.

From navigation systems to radar, night vision to search lights, there’s so much equipment that keeps our crews safe while coordinating a search and rescue in the dark - and your kind donations help to fund these vital tools.

Become a lifesaver, we have volunteering opportunities where you can put your skills, experience and passion to work to help the RNLI.

Are you looking for something different in your life? Want to give back to your local community? Perhaps changes in your life mean you have a little extra time to give to something new...

Have you thought of volunteering?

We are always on the lookout for volunteers to support the various events we have.

Interested? Take a look here https://bit.ly/3VCyYlg or message us and see what you can do to help.

RNLI
Gravesend RNLI

At 8:53am on Wednesday 12 June, London Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Gravesend RNLI to a vessel that had reportedly made contact with a barge in the area of Erith.

RNLI Thames Commander Stewart Challis said, ‘While making way to the incident it's important that we can obtain as much information about the incident before we arrive so we can create a mental model and have a plan to deal with the casualties as quickly and safely as possible'

'The support from the London Coastguard was brilliant as they provided us with additional information including, additional assets like London Ambulance Service, Metropolitan Police Marine Unit, and of course the PLA’.

Gravesend RNLI made best speed to Erith and arrived on the scene just east of Erith Pier.

RNLI Thames Commander Liam Sidders added, ‘We quickly identified the vessel wedged up against the barges off Anchor Bay Wharf, there was clear damage to the sailing yacht with parts of the mast scattered across the deck, at this point we could see two casualties who at the time appeared trapped with signs of head and leg injuries’

‘We then managed to get the two casualties safely on board our Atlantic 85 lifeboat whilst the Harbour Vessel’s crew made the casualty vessel safe, we continued to provide casualty care on board the lifeboat whilst we made way to Erith Causeway for evacuation and passed over care.

RNLI volunteer Mike Rountree said, ‘We were met by London Ambulance Service who further aided the two casualties before taking them to hospital’.

Stewart Challis finished with, ‘I would like to thank everyone who added to the search and rescue today as all casualties were quickly located and dealt with in good timing.’

Gravesend RNLI’s lifeboat Olive Laura Deare II then returned to Gravesend Reach, refuelled and was made ready for service again by 10:42am.

https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2024/june/12/gravesend-rnli-tasked-to-vessel-collision-on-river-thames

📷 Fraser Gray & Gravesend RNLI

On Friday 31 May At 6:42pm, London Coastguard tasked Gravesend RNLI to a dog in trouble after falling 14ft into the Thames on the north shore near Tilbury Fort.

RNLI Thames Commander Andy Colley said, ‘We had already had a busy day, what with a tasking at 8:21am to Erith and then a day of exercise, we were just getting ready for shift handover and the direct line from London Coastguard rang.’

Gravesend RNLI’s Atlantic 85 made the short distance across the Thames to Tilbury and arrived on scene within 60 seconds, when they immediately spotted the dog’s owner leaning over the Thames Path wall.

With 10 minutes left of a rising tide, the volunteer crew successfully located the dog in water desperately clawing at the wall, the lifeboat’s crew eventually got the dog safely on board.

Tilbury Port Line Handler Chris Turner said, ‘I’d just finished with the departure of a vessel and when returning to my vehicle I noticed the lifeboat with the flashing blue lights against the shore, next minute it was coming towards me, I didn’t expect them to moor up at Tilbury Terminal with a dog on board!’.

RNLI volunteer Aaron Reynolds said, ‘It’s always a great feeling to witness the reuniting of a dog with its owner, especially after jumping a 14ft wall into a wet landing in the Thames!’

The RNLI volunteers returned to station at 7:08pm before being made ready for service with the night shift crew at 7:30pm.

https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2024/may/31/gravesend-rnli-rescues-a-dog-from-river-thames-near-tilbury

📷 Chris Turner

We were recently out on the Thames when the crew on board Svitzer Global Bootle made contact with us via VHF to offer a joint exercise of man overboard drills.

This involved the crew on board the tug deploying a Ruth Lee Ltd MOB training manikin, the volunteer lifeboat crew then retrieved the manakin onto the Atlantic 85 before Svitzer followed their protocol which is to winch using their on board crane.

Gravesend RNLI's Duty Commander Karla Thresher said, 'I'm incredibly grateful to Svitzer Bootle's crew offering up this opportunity, it's fantastic that the Thames users come together for training opportunities to help keep the river safe'.

Thames Commander Andy Colley, who was recently awarded a 20-year Long Service Medal for his service on the Gravesend lifeboat crew for two decades, attended a special garden party at Buckingham Palace.

The garden party celebrated 200 years of the RNLI saving lives at sea, and was held by HRH The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and HRH The Duke of Kent, on Thursday 23 May.

Thank you to Andy for representing Gravesend RNLI at this very special occasion.
You can read more about it here:
https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2024/may/24/long-serving-gravesend-rnli-crew-member-attends-buckingham-palace-garden-party

Come along and see us if you are at the Chatham Maritime Watersports Centre Food and Drink Festival this bank holiday weekend!

As well as sharing water safety advice, we will be fundraising and RNLI Whitstable Lifeboat Station shop will have some items for sale. There will be plenty of photo opportunities with Stormy Stan!

Hope to see you there!

The RNLI will be joining us at the Food and Drink Festival to promote water safety 🌊

There will also be gifts and promotional items for sale courtesy of the RNLI Whitstable Lifeboat Station shop

AND

Stormy Stan will also be out and about! Make sure you say hi if you see him! 👋 all organised by Gravesend RNLI

Please join us in congratulating Thames Commander Andy Colley who received his 20-year Long Service Award today, presented by Gravesend RNLI Station Manager Ian Smith & RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager Neil Withers.

The medal is eligible to those that have served key milestones of 20 years and beyond, it pictures the RNLI founder, Sir William Hillary.

Thank you to Andy and all our volunteers for your on-going commitments and service.

We’re very proud to fly our RNLI flag at Gravesend featuring a royal crown, so we’re even more delighted to announce that His Majesty King Charles III will be our new Patron, succeeding Queen Elizabeth II.

Since 1824, The Royal Family has supported the RNLI’s purpose to save lives at sea.

The King has a long history with the RNLI and has made several visits to lifeboat stations and sites over the years.

His Majesty’s first ever RNLI engagement was in 1964, when, as the then Prince of Wales, His Royal Highness accompanied The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and The Princess Royal to Cowes, Isle of Wight to observe the sea trials of a new Waveney class lifeboat.

During a visit to Atlantic College in 1971, His Majesty took the helm of a B-3 inflatable lifeboat and, with two crew members, made a 35-minute trip into the Bristol Channel in rough weather.

In 2021, The King visited the RNLI College, Poole and was given a tour of our All-weather Lifeboat Centre, where our all-weather lifeboats are manufactured. His Majesty was able to inspect the progress of the Shannon class lifeboat Duke of Edinburgh being built in honour of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Last year, The King and Queen Camilla visited St Ives lifeboat station in Cornwall as part of Their Majesties’ first official visit to Cornwall following the Coronation.

TONIGHT ON BBC 2 @ 20:00 - SAVING LIVES AT SEA!!

Chiswick RNLI return to and .films Saving Lives At Sea!

Tonight’s rescue involves Thames Commander Mark Turrell (pictured) and crew in a race against time on a 999 call to a class five party boat, which has lost power and starts drifting with the tide towards danger…

TUNE IN!!

On 27th July The Sheringham Shantymen will be performing a special gig at The Woodville Theatre, Gravesend raising money for local RNLI stations.

A night full of great music, please share with your friends as the Shantymen bring their unique brand of 'humour' and songs of the sea all for a very special cause.

Tickets are available here: https://www.woodville.co.uk/events/the-sheringham-shantymen/

Today is London Lifeboat Day!

We’re proud to serve London along with our colleagues TowerRNLI, Chiswick RNLI & RNLI Teddington Lifeboat Station.

we have our volunteers & crew out in all major London train stations today, if you see any, please stop and have a chat as they fundraise to help continue saving lives right here on the River Thames.

Gravesend RNLI set to feature in popular BBC documentary series Saving Lives at Sea TONIGHT.

📅 Tuesday 7 May.
📺 BBC Two & BBC iPlayer 8pm.
🛟 Episode 9 Series 9 titled ‘Pride’.

Filming took place over the past year and tonights episode includes a rescue from last August, when duty crew were tasked by London Coastguard to a vessel taking on water with four casualties on board, bringing a 70th birthday celebration to an abrupt halt.

Find out what happens tonight at 8pm.

🪫💨🌩️
On Thursday 2 May at 03:47am, the volunteer crew were tasked by HM Coastguard to a 12m sailing yacht that was reported to be drifting near Broadness on the River Thames.

This tasking involved engine loss, lack of wind and lightning strikes.

Find out more here

https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2024/may/02/gravesend-rnli-launches-to-lightning-struck-vessel

One week ago today more than 80 runners took part in the London Marathon in aid of the RNLI, we hope you've all sufficiently recovered!

Special shoutout to Gravesend volunteer crew member John Robinson (pictured), not only did he take part and raise £1265 in sponsorship, but he also served a 12-hour shift on the Lifeboat earlier this week!

If you fancy having a proud look on your face holding a medal like John, raise money for the RNLI and get a medal featuring our Atlantic 85 lifeboat.

The RNLI are urging the public to take part in the Mayday Mile fundraiser – taking on the challenge of covering a mile a day for the month of May. All money raised will help to provide the vital training and equipment that is needed to keep its lifesavers ready to answer the call to rescue.

Find out more here https://fundraise.rnli.org/event/mayday-mile

John Robinson, Gravesend lifeboat crew, is one of more than 80 people who are set to take on the London Marathon on Sunday 21 April in aid of the RNLI.

John, who has been part of the volunteer Thames Crew at Gravesend lifeboat station for two years, said: ‘It's a great privilege to be running the London Marathon to raise money for the RNLI, and even more special as the Institution celebrates its 200th year anniversary.

‘I am looking forward to the challenge of a marathon. I have run a few half marathons as part of my training plan, so I have some idea what to expect, and I am sure the crowd and atmosphere of the event will power me on!’

Last year, 89 runners tackled the gruelling 26 mile challenge for the RNLI, raising a staggering £161,234.53.

For those not running the marathon, the RNLI is urging the public to take part in the Mayday Mile fundraiser – taking on the challenge of covering a mile a day for the month of May. All money raised will help to provide the vital training and equipment that is needed to keep its lifesavers ready to answer the call to rescue.

The Mayday Mile takes place from Wednesday 1 May to Friday 31 May. Sign up and find out more at RNLI.org/SupportMayday.

John added: ‘Good luck to all the other runners, see you on the finish line. You can donate to my RNLI Sponsorship page here: https://2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/john-robinson

⏱️ Our station on the River Thames is operating 24/7 with volunteer crew running 12 hour shift patterns.

🚨 We train day and night so we’re prepared for the next tasking and to help save lives.

☎️ If you spot someone in trouble on the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

On Wednesday 3 April at 6:33pm, Gravesend RNLI was requested to launch by London Coastguard to a worker who had suffered a suspected leg fracture onboard a Ro-Ro Cargo vessel at Purfleet Deep Water Terminal on the River Thames.

The casualty had been trapped and caught in a heavy industrial-grade winch system that assists the vessel with the retrieval of ropes that moor the 49166-ton vessel to the jetty.

Duty Commander Liam Sidders said, 'I have had the pleasure to conduct the training and development of both RNLI volunteers for this particular incident, it's incredibly humbling to see how they have developed their skills and confidence during their short time with us. Thankfully this scenario is something we train regularly, my crew acted exactly as expected and provided the top-quality service that the charity offers'.

Read more here https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2024/april/03/gravesend-rnli-tasked-to-injured-crew-on-board-cargo-ship

Wishing all our volunteers and supporters a happy Easter.

We were happy to welcome the Chief Executive of Gravesham Borough Council to come and see our scroll signing.

Gravesend RNLI is a part of a much wider local community, and there are plenty of ways to get involved.

Today volunteers from Gravesend’s Lifeboat Station joined RNLI volunteers across the UK and Ireland in signing the RNLI's One Crew pledge. The signing was part of the RNLI's 200th anniversary celebrations.

We were invited to join the RNLI Lifeboat team as they signed the scroll, and to find out more about the RNLI and their connection to Gravesham.

If you want to find out more about the RNLI at Gravesham and the RNLI generally, please visit https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/gravesend-lifeboat-station