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Swanage Lifeboat launched to a power boat in trouble in Poole Bay

Lifeboats News Release

A skipper of a small boat had entered the water to free an entangled propeller. After an hour he got back onboard his vessel but was feeling the effects of the cold sea water. Swanage lifeboat was tasked to assist the casualty.

Swanage all-weather lifeboat in Swanage Bay

RNLI/Nicholas Leach

Swanage all-weather lifeboat in Swanage Bay
The skipper of an 18' power boat noticed a problem with his engine, the propeller had become entangled in some old hose pipe. Having spent time in the water he reboarded his boat. The cold water effects soon started to take their toll.

At 5:51 pm Swanage's volunteers were alerted to the incident by the sounding of their pagers. The all-weather lifeboat (ALB) quickly launched and headed to the casualty vessel ready to treat its occupant for possible hypothermia and get the boat to safety. Once on scene, the vessel's occupant was placed in the warmth of the ALB's wheelhouse under the watchful eye of a casualty care trained crew member. Another crew member was placed on his boat to drive it to Salterns Marina with the ALB as an escort.

On arrival in the marina, the casualty, warmed up and in better spirits, was handed to the HM Coastguard Poole for further assistance and the Swanage Lifeboat was released from service.

ALB Crew: (Coxn) Gavin Steeden, Roydon Woodford, Alice Haw, Felix Williams, Neil Brooks, Nigel Bower, Scott Turner
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, (Winch) Neil Collings, Julian Vass

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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