Poole Lifeboats launch to a person in the water

Poole's RNLI lifeboats launched at 7.10pm requested by Solent Coastguard to a person in the water off Shore Road, the lifeboats were soon on scene and discovered the person in the water 100 yards off the beach.

The volunteer crew located the person, they talked to the casualty, to encourage them, to allow the crew to take them back to the safety of the shore. The casualty was recovered into the Atlantic 75 and taken ashore, then the lifeboat crew transferred the casualty across to the paramedics who were standing by.

The volunteers returned back to station, and after refuelling the lifeboats were ready for service by 9.15pm

This was the first shout for the station’s new D class Gladys Maud Burton the latest Poole lifeboat which arrived on station a couple of weeks ago, this was also the first shout for the stations newly passed out helm Jonathan Clark.

It’s full circle for the past Coxswain and Poole lifeboat's longest serving volunteer as almost twenty years ago, Jonathan was a helm at the station until 1998 when he took on the role of coxswain, his wealth of experience and knowledge of the harbour will continue to be a great asset to the station.

Jonathan and other members of the crew during the winter have been on the water with intensive training and familiarisation with the new class of lifeboat to the station.

Although it has been quiet pager wise, the crew have been busy refreshing their Casualty Care skills with assessments at the lifeboat station. Volunteer lifeboat crews are required to treat casualties in demanding and stressful environments they need to have the knowledge and ability to assess the injury or illness and give vital first aid. It can mean the difference between life and death.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.