Swanage inshore lifeboat launches to capsized sailing dinghy at Old Harry Rocks
On Monday afternoon the Swanage inshore lifeboat (ILB) was tasked to reports of a capsized Hobie Cat at Old Harry Rocks.
The ILB made its way through the race at Old Harry to check the welfare of the casualties. Both were found safe and well on the beach exposed by the low tide and were taken aboard the lifeboat and returned to South Beach.
The ILB then returned to assess recovery of the sailing dinghy and it was decided to collect another crew member from the lifeboat station to help with safe recovery. On returning to the sailing dinghy owners from the watersports company had arrived to help recover the vessel. The boat had now moved further around the rocks in the breaking swell. Two lifeboat crew were put ashore to assist the owners and the team were able to walk the boat around Old Harry to the Studland Bay side where the ILB was waiting with a towed rigged.
Two lifeboat crew stayed aboard the sailing dinghy as it was towed back to Knowle beach. With the boat returned and the owners from the watersports also on route back to Knowle beach, the ILB was freed to return to station.
ILB Crew: (Helm) Becky Mack, Phil Palmer, Alan Parmenter, Fergus Holland
Shore Crew: (Winchman) Paul Bedford
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