Two calls for help for the Poole Lifeboat Crew
Poole lifeboat volunteers were requested to launch at 11.15am by UK Coastguard, Saturday (June 13) to assist a single-handed laser sailor who had capsized in the shallows of Poole harbour.
Conditions in the harbour were blustery, with the wind freshening from the east south east, it had been bright first thing, but the clouds were now rolling in, as rain was forecasted later.
The crew were soon on scene and checked that the person was okay, he was cold and tired as he had been in the water for about half an hour. The lifeboat brought the sailor and dinghy back to Baiter slipway where the Poole search and rescue coastguards were on hand to assist the casualty with the recovery of the dinghy.
The lifeboat was then re-tasked to a 3 metre rib that had encountered engine failure and had been blown into Arne Bay. The rib with two people on-board was in extremely shallow water and it was tricky for the D-class to get close to them due to the unforgiving mud.
One of the casualties was able to push the rib towards the D-class, and the lifeboat crew managed to throw a line, which brought them closer, into more water.
The lifeboat crew decided to transfer the two people across on to the D-class as there was a bit of chop, conditions were deteriorating. They then took the stricken vessel back to Lake Road; the two people were glad to be safely ashore. Poole Coastguard Rescue Team volunteers were on hand to greet and assist.
The lifeboat returned to station and had to fully cleanse and wash down the kit and D-class, preparing it for the next service.
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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