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Joint effort by Wightlink ferry and Lymington RNLI saves two young sailors.

Lifeboats News Release

The volunteer crew of the Lymington RNLI Atlantic 85 Lifeboat (B-882) David Bradley where called shortly before 6.45pm on Tuesday 17 July to assist in the rescue of two teenage dinghy sailors who had been spotted in difficulties at the entrance to the Lymington River by a passenger aboard a ferry.

Alerted by a passenger, the ferry diverted from its schedule and launched its fast rescue boat, picking up the two shaken youngsters.

Lymington RNLI Lifeboat rendezvoused with the ferry rescue boat and being the faster craft, took the two casualties aboard and made fast speed to the Lymington Harbour Masters Pontoon and the warmth of the boathouse. Once ashore the lifeboat crew returned to the Solent to find and recover the racing dinghy.

Lymington lifeboat was rehoused and readied for further service shortly before 8.30pm.

Notice to Editors:

· For over 53 years, Lymington RNLI Lifeboat has provided search, rescue and lifesaving capability in the western Solent, Needles Channel and eastern sector of Christchurch Bay.

· The RNLI Lifeboat Station open days will be on: Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 August 2018 coinciding with the local food festival being held on the adjacent Bath Road Park.

· The annual fundraising BarBQ on the Bath Road Green (almost adjacent to the boathouse) with Zac and the Zeroes will be on Saturday 18 August commencing at 5.30pm. Please support us.

RNLI Media Contacts:

  • Peter Mills, Lymington RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07767 213583 [email protected]
  • Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 email: [email protected]

· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 email: pressoffice@rnli.org

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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