Mudeford RNLI assist upturned rib and bring one casualty safely back to shore.

The crew launched at 3.07pm after Solent Coastguard received a Mayday call from another rib. The Mayday call reported three people in the water from a four-metre rib. The boat had capsized just outside the Christchurch harbour entrance.

The lifeboat made its way through the swell on the Christchurch entrance and was on scene within four mins of launching.

When they arrived on the scene, the crew witnessed an upturned rib in the surf zone, just metres off Avon beach.

One person was spotted in the water holding onto the upturned vessel. Due to the shallow water level, the lifeboat was unable to get close to the person. So the decision was made to place a crew member in the water to assist the person holding onto the rib.

The crew member made their way to the casualty and assisted them to the safety of the shore. When ashore, the crew member then accounted for everyone from both ribs – the upturned rib and the one that sent the Mayday call – and carried out first aid on someone who was cold and in shock.

Thankfully, everyone was accounted for and handed over to the ambulance service and HM Coastguard units that were also in attendance.

The lifeboat crew then recovered both of the ribs off the beach to prevent them from getting broken up on the groynes in the surf. Both boats were taken off the beach under tow by the lifeboat and returned to the safety of Christchurch harbour.

Nathan Jauns, volunteer crew member at Mudeford RNLI, was on the lifeboat and assisted in the rescue.

He said: ‘When we arrived on scene, we could see that the rib had capsized and the person in the water was in need of immediate assistance. I’m glad we were able to help the casualty, and that nobody came to serious harm.’

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