3rd March 2000 - Responding to reports of a man stranded on a ledge below Shakespeare cliff, Dover lifeboat launched under the command of Coxswain David Pascall. Shakespeare cliff is about one and a half miles to the west of Dover and the lifeboat arrived offshore within a few minutes. Informed by the Coastguard that the man had a suspected fractured leg and was suffering hypothermia, Coxswain Pascall decided the best option was to request a helicopter to winch the man from his position on a ledge 2 metres above the waves. Whilst waiting for the helicopter Coxswain Pascall despatched the lifeboat's inflatable Y- boat with three crewmen to administer first aid. As the Y-boat approached the beach it was capsized by a large wave. Thrown out but uninjured, the lifeboatmen dragged the boat ashore and proceeded to the casualty.

Having made the man comfortable, the lifeboatmen were joined by an ambulance paramedic, who had been lowered down the cliff by the Coastguard officers above.

When the helicopter arrived it was impossible to winch the injured man and paramedic vertically so a high line technique was employed.

The Y-boat was recovered to the lifeboat by means of a towline and the crew ashore returned to the lifeboat station by road, the tide having dropped enough to allow them to get safely along to the beach.

Shakespeare Cliff from the west (at the far right) as seen from Samphire Hoe.