Poole volunteers have had a busy 24 hours after dealing with a variety of incidents from sinking boats, medical incidents and people reported in difficulty.
Poole Lifeboat was launched by UK Coastguard just after 11.40am (Tuesday July 20) to a medically assess a person on Brownsea Island.
The lifeboat arrived on scene and two crew were deployed to administer casualty care, the poorly person was taking shelter from the heat of the day in the Café.
Meanwhile as the lifeboat was standing by at Brownsea Island Pier another vessel came alongside, a 14ft Boston Whaler, one of the people onboard had injured his toe and seeked some medical assistance, a crew member ashore met the injured person on Brownsea Pier and dressed the injured toe, to make it as comfortable as possible, with this, the casualty was happy to continue on his way.
Shortly after, another passing boat relayed some information, they had seen four children on a SUP (stand up paddleboard) near to the Harbour entrance and were very concerned that the SUP may drift out into the harbour entrance.
Leaving the two-crew in the Café administering first aid, the lifeboat departed to investigate, heading to where the previous boat had seen the SUP.
The lifeboat crew came across a SUP, tied to one of the piers at Sandbank and they ascertained that the children had been on the board. A person nearby confirmed that all the children were safe and well as the board had been tethered, so it was a ‘good intent’ call.
The lifeboat returned to Brownsea, where the poorly person had been escorted to the Ferry, she felt a little better and was okay to depart the Island via the ferry.
The lifeboat crew returned to station, refueled and the lifeboat was made ready for service by 2pm.
Later, at 5pm, the lifeboat volunteers were tasked to a 42ft Fairline with 2 people on board, that was taking on water in the vicinity of Parkstone Yacht Club.
The lifeboat was swiftly on scene, they discovered a boat at anchor, with its stern down, the lifeboat checked that the two casualties were okay and swiftly transferred them off the stricken vessel and took them ashore to Parkstone Yacht Club as there was a real concern that the vessel was going to go down.
Poole Coastguard Rescue Team had also been tasked, to meet the casualties shore side. Once the casualties were safely ashore, the lifeboat returned to their vessel and isolated the fuel, the vessel was too far in the water and taking on water, to doing anything further.
The lifeboat informed the Coastguard of the vessel’s perilous predicament, and the coastguard will liaise with Harbour Control to decide on any further appropriate action.
The lifeboat crew returned to station, refueled and made the lifeboat ready for service by just before 7pm.
Then the pagers rang out again in the early hours. Both boats were launched on service at 01.50am alongside RNLI Mudeford lifeboat, Poole Coastguard and Southbourne Coastguard to conduct shoreline searches from Canford Cliffs East wards to Boscombe Pier to look for a swimmer. Mudeford LB were tasked to search from Hengestbury Head to Boscombe Pier, items had been left on the beach at Boscombe.
Poole Lifeboats conducted a search from the Harbour entrance to Boscombe Pier. With nothing untoward found all units stood down.
Both boats refuelled and ready for service at 4:15am.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.
