Both boats launch to help in search for missing person

The helicopter from the National Police Air Service, together with officers on the ground and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Swanage and St Albans, were scouring the countryside bordering the coast whilst the lifeboats were tasked to do shoreline searches and check the SW Coastal Path for the missing adult.

The ILB covered the coastline from Peveril Point to Old Harry, its draught enabling it to get in close to the beach in Swanage Bay. The ALB did several sweeps from Durlston Bay to Dancing Ledge.

Both boats were released from service just after 9:15 p.m. with the police and HM Coastguard focusing their searches away from the immediate shoreline.

ALB Crew: (Coxn) Robert Aggas, Dave Turnbull, Gavin Steeden, Bryan Jones, Neil Brooks, Ben Bamber, Scott Turner

ILB Crew: (Helm) Darren Tomes, Matthew Steeden, Alice Haw
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Neil Collings, (Winch) Julian Vass, Andy Redout, Nigel Bower, Archie Burgess

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Becky Mack, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]

Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 488243, [email protected]

Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.