RNLI and Coastguards work together to rescue climber.
Weymouth RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched at 9.34pm on Saturday 24th August to assist Portland Bill Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team to rescue a climber who had become stuck on the end of a rope at Sandholes near to Red Crane on Portland. Solent Coastguard also tasked a helicopter to the scene.
On arrival, the volunteer crew of the lifeboat along with the Coastguard CRT decided that it would be best, due to an overhanging rock, if the lifeboat could get in close to the shore and the climber and a member of the CRT could climb into the lifeboat.
In very tricky sea conditions and in fading light , the helm of the lifeboat managed to manoeuvre into a position where they could get into the lifeboat. Once aboard, the lifeboat took the climber and Coastguard team member to Portland Marina where they were met by other CRT team members. The Inshore lifeboat then returned to station at 11.10pm, refuelled and made ready for the next shout.
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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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