Poole Lifeboat launched to Windsurfer(s) in difficulty

The lifeboat was on scene in 6-7 minutes, conditions were blustery, and with strong South westerly winds 4-5 blowing through with squally sharp showers, it wasn’t pleasant.

The lifeboat crew checked that the windsurfer was okay, and recovered him onto the lifeboat with his rig and landed him safely back ashore at Shell bay.

The crew were heading back to station when the Coastguard tasked them to search round Brownsea, a report had come through that two more windsurfers were in difficulty had been seen south of Brownsea Island.

The lifeboat carried out a thorough search of the area, the weather was relentless, with continuous squalls, gusting through with hailstones at times.

The crew scoured the area there were no other vessels or people out on the water, as nothing untoward was found, the lifeboat crew returned back to the station, after refuelling the lifeboat was ready for service by 3pm.

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.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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