RNLI crews from Sheerness went to the aid of five boaters lost in thick fog off the Isle of Sheppey

Five boaters lost in thick fog were rescued by Sheerness RNLI after they became stranded off the Isle of Sheppey on Monday evening.

The group onboard the 25ft motorboat contacted the coastguard around 9.30pm after realising that they had lost their bearings and decided to moor up to a navigation buoy and call for help.

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Sheerness’s inshore lifeboat was launched to the scene and despite the poor visibility; they soon located the group in the Swale, a strip of sea separating the north Kent coast from the Isle of Sheppey.

Coxswain Robin Castle said: “The fog meant visibility was down to about 50m, which led to the people aboard the motorboat losing their way. They did the right thing by mooring up to a buoy and calling for help.

“Our volunteer crew train regularly to be able to carry out search and rescue operations in difficult conditions such as when visibility is poor.

“They put their training into action and were able to locate the lost boat and escort it back to Queenborough Harbour.”

After completing their trip, the lifeboat returned to Sheerness station just before 11.30pm and was readied for the next emergency call.