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The busy bank holiday weekend continues for Swanage lifeboat crew

Lifeboats News Release

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.

Relief lifeboat 13-26 launches to yacht dragging its anchor in Studland Bay

RNLI/Shannon class lifeboat 13-16

Relief lifeboat 13-26 launches to yacht dragging its anchor in Studland Bay
A call for concern had been made to HM Solent Coastguard as yacht was spotted drifting out of Studland Bay, apparently with no-one on board.

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 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.

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