Busy period continues for Poole lifeboat volunteers

The lifeboat headed to Shell Bay as information had come through that the kayaker required medical assistance. the lifeboat soon located the vessel and two crew were transferred across to administer casualty care, the kayaker was very cold, having been in the water, but was okay.

The lifeboat crew transferred the casualty ashore on to the pontoon at Shell Bay Marine and one of the crew stayed ashore to monitor the casualty and keep check,Swanage Coastguard were also on scene.

The Lifeboat conducted a quick search for the kayak and 10 minutes later they found it semi-submerged at the end of East Looe.

Conditions in the harbour were quite choppy, the strong westerly winds gusting 5-6.

The lifeboat recovered the kayak and brought it back to Shell Bay Marine, the casualty was none the worse for his experience, so the lifeboat stood down and returned to station.

After refuelling the lifeboat was made ready for service by 5.30pm

The lifeboat was requested to launch again at 19:30 Sunday (August 19) to a 24ft yacht aground on Studland Beach. The yacht had been at anchor but then, the anchor had dragged, causing the vessel to ground and sit on the bottom.

The lifeboat was soon on scene, finding Swanage Coastguard also on the beach with two Coastguards in the water, with the intention to try and a push the vessel free, two lifeboat crew joined them to help push the yacht around so it was ‘head to sea’.

Once the yacht was in a better position, a tow line was attached and the lifeboat pulled the stricken vessel clear, as the tide was flooding.

One lifeboat crew stayed on board the yacht and assisted the casualty in picking up a mooring in Studland Bay where it was going to stay the night.

Once the casualty was secured and happy, the lifeboat man was transferred back to the lifeboat and they returned back to station

The lifeboat was ready for service by 21:30pm.

Poole lifeboat was tasked just before 2pm Monday (August 19) by the UK Coastguard to a report of to two people in the water in Studland Bay who had been blown off shore in a yellow inflatable dinghy and were trying to swim back to the beach.

The lifeboat was quickly on scene and as they reached Studland Bay, they received an update over the radio that casualties were ashore.

Swanage Coastguard and rescue team had arrived on scene and had located the people, they were safe and well and no medical assistance was required.

The Coastguard requested that the lifeboat have a search for the inflatable, as it may have washed up somewhere else with no one on-board, sparking another launch request.The lifeboat conducted a search of the immediate area and then ran 4 nautical miles downwind towards Bournemouth but nothing was found.

The search was repeated back up wind , towards Middle beach in Studland bay when news came over the radio that an inflatable dinghy had been recovered and handed in to the National Trust at Knoll Beach.

Once it was confirmed that it was the same dinghy the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.

After refuelling the lifeboat was ready for service just after 3pm

Volunteer Helm Ed Davies said;

‘There was a strong south westerly wind blowing off shore at Middle Beach meaning the casualties were very quickly blown away from the shore and into choppy waters. They were lucky to get back to shore safely. We don’t want spoil people’s fun, but Inflatables are not a good idea, especially when there is an offshore wind. If you do decide to go out on one please, think carefully about the conditions and wear a buoyancy aid, we just want people to be safe’.

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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