Three rescues for the Lymington RNLI crew in 24 hours
The Lymington crew were called out twice yesterday (Sunday 3 Jan). At 1.38pm HM Coastguard requested the Lymington crew to assist a dinghy that had lost its mast with two people onboard and their safety boat also suffered engine failure.
The lifeboat station's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat B-882 David Bradley launched under the helm of Simon Nuding towards the Lymington River mouth as directed by the Coastguard. Within two minutes of launching, the lifeboat arrived on scene and as the safety boat was anchored and secure, the lifeboat proceeded to the dinghy.
The 49er dinghy with two people onboard had suffered a dismasting The crew arrived on scene and assessed the casualties to ensure they were not suffering from the cold. The crew then established a tow line and proceeded slowly back toward the stranded RIB.
The crew were able to put the RIB in an alongside tow and the lifeboat took returned both casualty vessels to the Lymington pontoon. This was a private family event and not part of any organised club event.
The lifeboat was prepared and ready again for service at 2.15pm.
The crew had not long been home warming up when their pagers went off again at 5.54pm. HM Coastguard had received multiple reports of flares seen in the area of the Berthon Marina. The lifeboat launched, again under the helm of John Husband, and quickly proceeded to the Berthon Marina. The lifeboat carried out a thorough search but the lifeboat crew found nothing.
The local coastguard teams and local police found spent flares in the area of the monument by Walhampton inland. Based on this information the lifeboat was stood down by the Coastguard and the lifeboat returned to the station and was ready again for service at 6.55pm.
John Husband helm said that ’it is important the public call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if people are concerned. Given the water temperature, cold water shock can start very quickly if someone is in the water’.
It has certainly been a busy weekend for the voluntary crew, responding to three calls in 24 hours.
Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, SE and London (07785) 296252 [email protected]
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