RNLI lifeboats were called to action when swimmers raising money for the charity near Broadstairs' Joss Bay fell into difficulties due to strong tidal currents on Sunday (28 August).
All swimmers arrived on shore safely with no casualties in the incident that saw both Margate and Ramsgate RNLI inshore lifeboats attend.
The event was the fourth of five swimming challenges in the RNLI Long Swim series organised by events and adventure company Votwo, who chose the RNLI lifeboat service as its charity partner.
Some 69 swimmers competed on the day across three classes of swim. But troubles arose during the third and final lap of the 3.8km swim, involving 53 swimmers, when sea conditions changed. Only six of the swimmers, some of whom are in training for a cross-Channel swim, managed to complete the challenge unaided, 22 retired early reaching shore by themselves and 25 had to be assisted to shore, the RNLI advised.
The RNLI said that it had warned Votwo that conditions could be treacherous on the day of the event:
"The tides in the area of Joss Bay and North Foreland are notoriously difficult off the coast as it is an area where, effectively, the waters of the Thames Estuary, the North Sea and the English Channel all meet," the charity advised in a statement.
"Despite being advised that the sea conditions off Joss Bay could be unfavourable on the day due to tidal currents the organisers decided to proceed with the swim," it added.
However former Royal Marine Commando and Votwo Events and Adventure Limited director Ben Mason, who was in charge of the event, advised that the organisers were not given any warning by the RNLI. "That wasn't the case," he said.
He also advised that he didn't feel the event was "a disaster".
"These things happen," he said. "It didn't go wrong, the safety aspects were in place as necessary."
Details on Votwo's website gave no warning of the potentially hazardous conditions stating: "Joss Bay is located very close to Margate and is a sea swim. The Bay is relatively well sheltered and should produce some great open water swimming conditions with the possibility of a little bit of surf."
However, the RNLI advised that it is "satisfied" with safety cover on the day:
"Votwo is responsible for organising the race, and race safety as usual in these events. Obviously, safety is our main concern, and while we will carry out our own investigation, we were satisfied with Votwo’s safety cover (which is in line with the British Triathlon guidelines)," an RNLI spokesperson said.
The Long Swim series is being trialled for the first time this year after the RNLI partnered with Votwo to "engage with new audiences", the charity advised. They would typically expect to raise about £1000 from this type of event.
Every lifeboat launch costs the RNLI money in fuel and service payments. The lowest grade lifeboat costs an average of £8,283 per year in maintenance costs.
David Walliams to navigate the Thames
The event coincides with the announcement that celebrity funnyman David Walliams will take on his own treacherous swim on 5 September, undertaking to navigate the full 140 miles length of the river Thames for Sport Relief. Walliams, who previously swam the English Channel for Sport Relief, has had to receive several injections to prepare him for the plethora of diseases he could be subjected to from the dirty waters, which are infected with around 39 million cubic metres of raw sewage every year.
