Donate now
Drifting diver s surface marker buoy sparks search
A local dive boat spotted a surface marker buoy (SMB) drifting while they were recovering their own divers. Unable to investigate themselves, the dive boat alerted HM Coastguard, who tasked the Swanage lifeboat to investigate.
The coastguard had not discovered anything about the origins of the SMB, so asked the lifeboat to begin a search pattern in the area to rule out the unlikely possibility of it being associated with a diver in distress. The lifeboat carried out the search pattern and nothing was found.
With no reports of diving incidents in the region, the coastguard were content that the SMB had simply been lost so were happy to stand the lifeboat down.
The lifeboat returned to Swanage and was made ready for further service.
ALB Crew: (Coxn) Robert Aggas, John Deas, Ben Jarvis, Sam Aggas, Scott Turner, Adam O'Neill
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, (Winch) Jeremy Stein, Danielle Dix, Simon Foote, Archie Burgess, Neil Collings
RNLI Media Contacts
Becky Mack, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]
Stella Sims, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 316675, [email protected]
Sam Haddad, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 01202 137713, [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.