Dolphins play around Weymouth lifeboats while on a shout
Both Weymouth RNLI All-weather and Inshore lifeboats were launched at 6.25pm on Saturday 15 August to reports from Solent Coastguard of a vessel on fire at Ringstead Bay.
Quickly on scene it was discovered that the vessel concerned was a jet ski and that all persons had been safely recovered from the water.
Whilst on scene a small pod of dolphins popped up and played around the lifeboats and jet skis. The fire was extinguished before the dolphins arrived, so they were not in danger. The bay area is popular with dolphins and they followed other local boats and the lifeboat to the scene.
The jet ski was taken in tow and safely brought back to Weymouth Harbour arriving at 7.30pm.
Both lifeboats were then refuelled and 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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