Back to back calls for Poole volunteers involves a mud rescue and a lost yacht
Back to back calls for Poole volunteers involves a mud rescue and a lost yacht
Lifeboats News Release
Both Poole Lifeboats were requested to launch by UK Coastguard just after 6pm, Thursday September 27th to a report of a Jet Ski which had two people on-board in the mud near Rockley Park they had got in to trouble finding themselves stuck in the thick gloopy mud, in the back of the Harbour.
On route, the Lifeboat went alongside at Lake Pier and picked up the Poole Coastguard mud rescue team and transferred them onto the D Class so they could get as near to as possible to help bring the two people safely out of the mud, which they did.
Conditions in the Harbour were fine and clear with a stunning sunset.
As light was fading, the Lifeboat towed the Jet Ski free and brought the Jet Ski and casualties back to Salterns marina, fortunately they were none the worse for their adventure, just very cold. The D class took the Coastguards and their equipment back to Lake Pier and returned to station.
Just as they got back, the D class was re-tasked alongside the Lifeboat that was returning from Salterns to a report of a 20ft yacht aground requiring assistance in the Wareham Channel.
The lifeboats searched the channel but no yacht was found, the D class then searched the River Piddle, supported by Coastguard who had been deployed to search alongside the shore. Two D class crew went ashore to look assisted by the Coastguards and an extensive search ensued, the Piddle is very shallow and inaccessible in parts, then the yacht was found, it had simply taken the wrong turn.
The lifeboat crew came across the yacht which had a dog on-board, the person was unaccounted for at that time, then news came through from the shore that the person had left the boat and had waded through the mud to find a point of safety, he was okay, but very cold The coastguards and lifeboat crews escorted him back to safety, the vessel was okay so the lifeboat’s secured a tow and brought the stricken vessel back to Poole Quay Boat Haven
Poole Lifeboat Volunteer Helm Dave Riley said;
‘This was a long night for the crews and Coastguards, with back to back jobs, it was a multi-agency effort and we were at sea for over 7 hours. Accidents happen and we will always be there to help, if you see anyone in difficulty or require assistance call 999 and ask for the Coastguard’.
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.
