WINTER STORMS - FESTIVE RESCUE AT KENT CARAVAN PARK

On Christmas Eve, Colin Ingram, Sector Manager for North Kent had just sat down with his family to start his festive break. Little did he know at that moment what the night had in store for him and three of his Coastguard Rescue Teams.

HM Coastguard’s normal area of operation is along the UK coast and shoreline, but on that afternoon of Christmas Eve 2013, there was an emergency situation developing inland. With the onslaught of heavy rain, flood waters were rapidly rising at the Little Venice Caravan and Marina Park at Yalding, Kent. The watch keeping staff at Thames Coastguard were contacted to see if they could help. They could, and a decision was quickly made to dispatch Colin and his specially trained water rescue teams to the caravan site.
 
Colin and his Coastguard Rescue Officers from the Medway, Sheppey and Herne Bay Coastguard Rescue Teams worked tirelessly throughout Christmas Eve and into the early hours of Christmas Day. Through the rising flood waters and the onset of darkness, Colin and the teams checked every caravan and rescued 76 people using four small boats, and three four-by-four vehicles.


Colin and the rescue officers gave up their free time in what were incredibly difficult conditions. Colin is full of praise for his Coastguard Rescue Officers who worked closely with him that Christmas night. He is adamant that they all get the recognition they deserve.


Richard Martin, Chief Coastguard, says:

“Coastguards have worked tirelessly over the past few months as storms and tidal surges have battered many parts of the UK coastline. I'd like to take a moment to thank them all for their sterling efforts in what have been very challenging conditions.

“From the staff coordinating efforts in our Coastguard centres, to those rescue officers out in their communities, so many have given up their free time to help out. Some have done so in the early hours, on Christmas Eve into Christmas Day and even spending time away from loved ones on Valentine’s Day.

“Over the next few days and weeks, we’ll be featuring some examples of the work carried out by Coastguards during the storms. My thanks again to everyone involved in the storm rescue efforts as we all worked together to help keep the public safe.”









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