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RNLI Margate lifeboat

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Welcome to the official page of Margate RNLI. We’re proud to serve with a B-Class Atlantic 85 (B-930) and D-Class (D-841).

Here you can find the latest news, updates and activities from Margate Lifeboat Station.

26/10/2026

🚨 CALL OUT 🚨

With much of the country affected by Storm Boelo, lifeboats, coastguard rescue teams and a coastguard helicopter have responded to reports of a kite-surfer in difficulties off the North Kent coast.

HM Coastguard received a call around 1.30pm yesterday (Sunday 25 October) following reports of a kite-surfer possibly in difficulties and drifting away from their board off Reculver Towers. Margate and Herne Bay Coastguard Rescue Teams immediately responded with Margate RNLI and the coastguard helicopter from Manston Airport also tasked to assist.

Weather conditions included a west to northwesterly wind gusting to gale force with a moderate to rough sea and for volunteers at Margate lifeboat station this was the second call in the bad weather over a busy weekend where once again an experienced crew including three helms were tasked to crew the larger B class inshore lifeboat. Ramsgate RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was also launched to back-up Margate’s B class lifeboat and assist in the search.

Once on scene, the air and sea rescue units commenced a detailed search of the area following computed search patterns provided by Dover Coastguard. Shore-based coastguard teams meanwhile established that a kite-surfer had come ashore safely at Minnis Bay and it was quickly established that this was the same one the first informants had seen.

After confirming all was well, the search units were stood down and returned to station, the call logged as a false alarm with good intent.

Photos: Helmet camera stills from Margate lifeboat taken during the search operation (RNLI Margate)

24/10/2026

🚨 CALL OUT 🚨

Margate RNLI’s D class lifeboat has rescued the occupant of a yacht moored in Margate harbour as it was buffeted in the aftermath of storm Austen.

HM Coastguard received a 999 call just before midnight last night (Friday 23 October) from the single occupant of a yacht moored in Margate harbour stating they were concerned about their safety while moored in the exposed harbour and asked to be taken off the vessel. Margate’s RNLI lifeboat team was tasked to assist and along with local coastguard officers assessed the options for affecting a rescue.

Weather conditions at the time were near gale west to northwesterly winds with gusts to severe gale force and a confused sea even in the confines of the harbour. Considering the shallow water in the harbour it was decided to launch the smaller D class lifeboat and with an experienced crew of two helms and a Tier 2 crewmember. The occupant of the yacht was quickly taken off their vessel, landed ashore safe and well and handed into the care of the coastguard team.

Christian Wright, Launch Authority, Margate RNLI said: ‘The actual rescue was over in minutes but prudent planning by the team, including with coastguard officers ensured the occupant of the yacht could be brought to safety with minimal risk in what were unpleasant weather conditions.

‘Margate harbour can be exposed when the wind is from a certain direction and the occupant of the yacht did the correct thing in asking for assistance before the situation potentially deteriorated and making the rescue more complicated.’

Photo: The lifeboat alongside the yacht, right (Keith Silcock/Margate CG)

21/10/2026

Autumn update 🍂

Margate’s brand new lifeboat station is coming along nicely - all wrapped up ready for the brickwork!

The roof has been installed, as well as the frame. Now the bricklaying begins for the walls.

This lifeboat station is being fully funded by you - our generous donators - and you can donate to Margate’s station appeal here:

https://rnli.org/support-us/give-money/give-to-a-special-appeal/margate-lifeboat-station-appeal

18/10/2026

🚨 CALL OUT🚨

Both the B class and D class lifeboats were tasked in inclement weather conditions around 7.30pm yesterday (Saturday 17 October) after HM Coastguard received a report of a kitesurfer possibly ashore on the end of the Nayland Rock, west of Margate harbour.

The D class lifeboat was launched and stood by in the shelter of Margate harbour while Margate Coastguard Rescue Team members investigated from on shore. Only one kitesurfer was sighted in the area, appearing not to be in any difficulties and after the area was checked by coastguard officers both lifeboats were stood down – the call a false alarm with good intent.

The situation as described could have been serious and we thank the first informant for calling it in. Along with the local coastguard team we are always happy to check out anything that doesn’t look quite right at sea or on the shoreline and we urge people to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard on such occasions.

16/10/2026

😎 😎 Summer’s coming! 😎 😎

Already thinking about a seasonal summer job for 2027 with job satisfaction at the top of the wish list? Look no further than joining Thanet’s RNLI seasonal lifeguard team. You’ll help keep our beaches safe, support the local community and, most importantly, help save lives.

Learning and developing skills, useful in whatever your chosen career path, come with the role, skills including: casualty care, first aid, Rescue Watercraft operations (jet-skis!) and handling All-Terrain Vehicles all part of your training.

The RNLI are holding taster sessions locally on 27 October, details of which are in the news release in the comments below. Wondering if you can make a difference? In 2025 RNLI lifeguards in the South East of England saved 16 lives, responded to 2,567 incidents and assisted 2,843 people. – Thank you

09/10/2026

📚🎓 Time for your daily dose of history and trivia, whilst reading about our brave lifeboat crews?

🔸During WWII, as part of our nation’s defence, a number of fortifications were built out on the Thames estuary, and were fitted with anti-aircraft weapons to defend London and the South-east from incoming attacking German airborne forces - air raids, flying bombs, V1 rockets etc.

🔸Any Star Wars fans here? The AT-AT Walker design was based on these Maunsell Forts!

🔸In 1965, Knock John fort was home to a pirate Radio, known as Radio Essex.

As part of our weekly training, our B class lifeboat launched on Sunday morning to perform an extensive navigation exercise in some misty conditions.

Waypoints along the route included the ‘Knock John Fort’ (the flat platform) and ‘Shivering Sand Towers’ - also known as Maunsell forts. These exercises are important to ensure our crews are ready to respond to all calls.

📸 Pictured below, our volunteer crew can be seen admiring these magnificent forts close up!

RNLI RNLI Whitstable Lifeboat Station RNLI Sheerness lifeboat

08/10/2026

On Thursday 1st October, one of our volunteer crew members - B and D class helm Guy Addington, spent a solid 12 hours fundraising for our lifesaving work - all whilst fully kitted up in the middle of London Victoria train station!

Over the 12 hours, Guy collected a staggering £6,575.39 - and with the additional money from his Just Giving page, the total raised so far is £7,000!

🧡With thanks to a huge majority who showed their support, stopped, chatted encouraged or donated - your generosity is genuinely humbling.

Well done Guy!

You can find his JustGiving link in the comments below ⬇️ 🔗

02/10/2026

On Thursday 1st October, Margate Lifeboat Station welcomed volunteers of the busiest RNLI station in the U.K. - Tower RNLI on the River Thames in London.

The reason? ⬇️🙌

💙 540 lives saved. 540 kilometres cycled. 💙

These amazing volunteers are taking part in a six day challenge, cycling 540km from the RNLI Support Centre in Poole, Dorset to Tower Lifeboat Station in Central London.

🚴🏼‍♂️ Every kilometre cycled represents a life saved by Tower crews since we came on service in 2002 and recognises the commitment of the RNLI volunteers who stand ready, 24 hours a day, to respond when people are in danger in the water.

🚴🏻 This challenge is also about the future. Tower has recently welcomed 30 new volunteers who are ready to step forward and protect others on the water. To be able to respond safely, they need specialist training and essential protective equipment. Our goal is to raise £10,000 to help equip and train these new lifesavers so they are ready when the call comes in.

Please support their challenge and help them turn every kilometre into a future life saved.

🔗 https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/towercyclechallenge

27/09/2026

🤔 Have you ever wondered what is inside our volunteer crew’s lifejacket?

Watch to find out! 📸

🧡From casualty care cards that guide our crews through medical emergencies, to day/night flares and locator beacons - the lifejacket is a lifeline of equipment designed to keep our crews ready and safe at sea!

💙With thanks to our colleagues at RNLI Scarborough Lifeboat for the video 👏

Address

RNLI Lifeboat Station, The Rendezvous
Margate
CT91HG

Telephone

+441843221613

Website

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