Swanage Lifeboat launches to assist small fishing vessel

The Shannon class lifeboat, newly re-liveried with thousands of 'launch a memory' names on the hull, launched a plotted a course to the vessel's last reported position. Good progress was made in flat seas and the casualty was soon spotted on RADAR, confirmed using the lifeboat's direction finding VHF equipment.

Thirty minutes after launching, a crew member was placed on board and a tow quickly established as the best was to get the vessel and crew to a safer place. The casualty had also contacted colleagues who were making their way to the scene in another boat and a plan was formed to get the casualty to Studland, out of open water and past all headlands, before handing over the tow.

On the passage back towards Old Harry the lifeboat was monitoring the progress of the ferry 'Barfleur' on its way to Poole. The ferry had a very similar course to the lifeboat and a risk of collision was identified when Barfleur was 8nm astern of the tow. A radio discussion between Barfleur and the lifeboat established each other's intentions and Barfleur passed the tow close to the start of the Swash channel.

Shortly afterwards the tow was handed over to the casualty's colleagues for them to complete the passage back to Poole and the lifeboat was released to return to Swanage.

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]

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