WHITSTABLE, Sunday January 19, 1986: a 24ft fishing boat, Duke Senior, with a party of anglers on board ran aground outside the harbour in a strong westerly force 9 gale. She was later re-floated by the rising tide and at 1417 she was reported to be about two miles north west of Whitstable harbour. At 1439 Whitstable's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat, British Diver, was launched.

Eight minutes later she reached the fishing boat and a lifeboat crew member was put aboard. The sea was very rough with three foot swell and Helmsman Mike Gambrill decided to escort her into the River Swale where there would be some protection from the wind and sea. Eventually she was moored at Harty Ferry and (right) the twelve anglers were brought ashore by the lifeboat. Wind had now increased to storm force 10 and it was not possible to beach or recover the lifeboat. Instead, with men stationed on either side of Whitstable harbour with heaving lines and lifebuoys at the ready, Helmsman Gambrill successfully negotiated the harbour entrance in very rough and confused seas and the lifeboat was safely moored alongside.

photograph by courtesy of Whitstable Times.