Donate now

Weymouth RNLI inshore lifeboat launched to Durdle Door

Lifeboats News Release

Weymouth RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched for the second time on the afternoon of Saturday 14th July.

Weymouth RNLI Inshore lifeboat

RNLI/Ken Francis

Weymouth RNLI Inshore lifeboat

Just over 2 hours after returning from a search for missing children, the volunteers of Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station were requested to launch by Solent Coastguard to go to the assistance of the South West Ambulance Service (SWAS) at Durdle Door Beach.

The RNLI inshore lifeboat launched at 6.15pm and arrived at Durdle Door Beach at 6.30pm where they were met by SWAS, Wyke Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team and Lulworth CRT who were attending to a middle aged woman who was suffering from a medical episode.

It was felt that a climb back up the cliff would be too arduous for the woman to undertake so a paramedic and the woman along with her daughter were taken onto the lifeboat and transported to Lulworth Cove to a waiting Ambulance arriving at 7pm.

At the time that the RNLI lifeboat was leaving Durdle Door beach a further three people were being dealt with for breathing problems or chest pains by the Coastguards and ambulance crews.

With the woman and her daughter safely in the hands of the ambulance crew the lifeboat was released to return to station. The lifeboat returned to station at 7.45pm where she was refuelled and made ready for the next shout.

On return to station, RNLI volunteer helm Karl Sargent said, ' On these hot days we would urge people to drink plenty of water and to consider their level of fitness when going to isolated beaches.'

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.

Categories