Lymington RNLI crew called to investigate reports of persons in the water.
Lymington RNLI Volunteers aboard relief fleet Atlantic 85 Martin Frederick Whitehouse (B-880) were called at 2.37pm on Sunday 7 October to investigate reports of two persons clinging to an upturned dinghy close to a mooring buoy off Keyhaven.
Making best speed through a calm sea with a light Northerly breeze, Lymington RNLI arrived at the reported location to find no sign of any dinghy or persons in distress.
Being mindful of the ebbing tide the crew commenced a search of the Keyhaven anchorage, River mooring buoys and marsh edge making contact with passing fisherman and the two Hurst Castle passenger ferries. All reported having seen nothing untoward.
With the available water diminishing with the strong ebb tide and the risk of grounding and stranding increasing Lymington RNLI lifeboat then withdrew to deep water to await further instructions from the Coastguard and following a review of the scenario were stood down.
Lymington RNLI Lifeboat returned to station to be readied for further service shortly before 4.30pm.
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.
· Lymington RNLI’s own Atlantic 85 lifeboat (B-882) David Bradley remains off station for investigation into an electronic systems anomaly.
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 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.
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