Anglers landed THE FISHING VESSEL Duke Senior appeared to be in difficulties near the entrance to Whitstable harbour just after midday on Sunday January 19, 1986. There were a number of people on board, thought to be anglers, and the boat was listing heavily in the strong westerly force 9 gale and short, steep five to six foot waves.

Consideration was given to launching Whitstable's rigid inflatable Atlantic 21 lifeboat but when at 1225, 20 minutes before low water, the fishing boat ran aground just off the harbour, the station honorary secretary decided he would wait till the rising tide to launch the lifeboat. She could then escort the fishing vessel into Whitstable harbour when she had refloated.

When the lifeboat, British Diver, launched at 1438 manned by Helmsman Michael Gambrill and Crew Members Nigel Scammell, Richard Judge and Eric McGonagle, the fishing boat had refloated and was already two miles north west of Whitstable harbour and in danger of grounding again. The wind was still westerly, gusting to force 9 and the flooding tide made for wind over tide which produced short, steep six to seven foot waves with a three foot swell.

Visibility was reduced by occasional rain squalls, spume and spray.

It took nine minutes for the lifeboat to reach the fishing vessel which was still listing heavily, appearing to be down by the port quarter. Michael Gambrill drove the lifeboat alongside Duke Senior and Crew Member Richard Judge jumped aboard.

The reason for the fishing vessel's listto port turned out to be the weight distribution of the 14 people on board the 24ft boat of narrow beam and shallow draft. Helmsman Gambrill considered transferring some of the anglers to the lifeboat but they were reluctant to leave the fishing vessel. After consulting her skipper, the helmsman decided to escort the fishing boat into the Swale estuary where she would gain some protection from the wind and sea.

The two vessels cleared Pollard Spit and entered the Swale. At 1543 the fishing boat was placed on a mooring near Harty Ferry. The lifeboat then took nine of the angling party ashore where the lifeboat crew helped the anglers to wade through the mud to dry land. The wind had by now increased to storm force 10 and there were three to four foot seas at Harty Ferry. By 1610 the last three anglers were ashore, the skipper and crew member having decided to say on board at the mooring until the weather and tide allowed them to enter Faversham Creek.

On her return to station and once clear of Shell Ness the lifeboat encountered very rough seas rounding Pollard Spit. The wind was westerly storm 10 and there were eight foot seas making it too rough either to recover the lifeboat on the drive on/drive off trolley or even to beach her. Michael Gambrill decided instead to enter Whitstable harbour.

The seas were very rough and confused at the harbour entrance with a scend into the harbour. The honorary secretary stationed members of the crew on both sides of the harbour entrance with heaving lines and lifebuoys and the coastguard was asked to alert the RAF helicopter at Mansion in case help was needed. At 1653 the lifeboat safely entered Whitstable harbour and by 1730 she was refuelled and ready again for service.

For this service the thanks of the Institution on vellum was presented to Helmsman Michael Gambrill while framed letters of thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the RNLI, were presented to Crew Members Nigel Scammell, Richard Judge and Eric McGonagle..