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Late night swimmer rescued by Weymouth RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Weymouth RNLI Inshore Lifeboat was launched at 10.35pm on Saturday 31st August to reports from Solent Coastguard of a female who had been seen to enter the water from the pleasure pier, and proceeded to swim directly out into the bay.

Weymouth ILB

RNLI/Ken Francis

Weymouth ILB

The volunteer crew of the Weymouth Inshore lifeboat began a search as soon they left the harbour, searching the area around the pleasure pier and setting off illuminates to cover a wide search area.

Due to probable search location the volunteer crew requested the all-weather lifeboat was also be tasked to launch to cover a greater area.

At this point, cries for help from towards the Bowleaze Cove area were heard both from the Pleasure Pier, and Stone Pier.

Both the lifeboats proceeded to head towards the apparent search location, where shortly afterwards they located the casualty, approximately 500 meters from the pier. The casualty was then assisted onto the Inshore lifeboat and checked over, before being transported back to the pier to the awaiting ambulance.

The lifeboats then returned to their berths at approx. 11.15pm and were made ready for the next shout.

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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