The busy bank holiday weekend continues for Swanage lifeboat crew
The volunteer lifeboat crew launch for the 4th time in three days following reports of a yacht dragging its anchor and drifting out to sea from Studland Bay.
The all-weather lifeboat launched to the drifting vessel to check if there was anyone on board and to prevent the vessel from drifting further where it would pose a hazard to other boats in the area.
The lifeboat arrived on scene to investigate less than 10 minutes later and as they approached the area the drifting yacht confirmed by VHF radio that they were OK and motoring back in to Studland having not realised that they were drifting out to sea.
The lifeboat escorted the yacht to a safe anchorage and once the skipper was happy that the yacht was secure the lifeboat was released to return to station.
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.