Two taskings in quick succession for Swanage Lifeboat
Swanage all-weather lifeboat (ALB) launched to affect a medical evacuation for a yacht struggling in Swanage Bay and was then quickly reassigned to help in a search for two missing swimmers in Studland Bay.
The ALB put two Casualty Care trained volunteers onboard the vessel to help stabilise the crew and then a tow was established. The yacht was towed to the RNLI station and the casualties were put ashore for medical attention.
Just as the lifeboat was towing the yacht, a call was received requesting the ALB's assistance to search for two swimmers who had gone missing from Knoll Beach. With the initial tasking safely complete, the lifeboat made best speed to Studland Bay where it embarked on several shoreline searches from Old Harry to the entrance to Poole Harbour. Both Poole lifeboats, a HM Coastguard rescue helicopter and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Swanage and St Albans were also involved in the tasking. As time progressed the ALB was tasked to do a search pattern extending into Poole Bay.
At 8:17pm both missing swimmers were reported safe and well on the shore and all search and rescue assets were released. The lifeboat was back on its slipway at 8:40pm.
ALB Crew: (Coxn) Gavin Steeden, Matthew Steeden, Darren Tomes, Phil Palmer, Neil Brooks, Ben Bamber
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Jeremy Stein, (Winch) Gary Buglass, Adam O'Neill, 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.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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