Both Swanage lifeboats launch to help locate a lost person near Tyneham

The UK Coastguard were in contact with the lost person by mobile phone and the estimated location was known to be close to the sea, therefore the lifeboats were tasked to assist with locating the person, in case access was no longer available by land.

Both lifeboats launched into rough seas to head west towards Tyneham. As the boats rounded Peveril Ledge it became clear the the smaller D-class inshore lifeboat (ILB) would be safer and able to maintain better speed more comfortably following in the wake of the Shannon class all-weather lifeboat (ALB). The lifeboats therefore travelled together, with the ILB following in the wake of the ALB towards Tyneham.

Whilst speaking to the lost person, the UK Coastguard pinpointed their location using an app called 'What3Words'. This precise latitude and longitude was provided to the volunteer crew on the lifeboats so that a course was able to be plotted and an estimated time of arrival was established as 30 minutes to the lost person's location.

Meanwhile, on land, Lulworth and Kimmeridge volunteer coastguard teams were also making their way to the area. Shortly after the precise location was confirmed that lost person was found safe and well on land and the lifeboats were stood down to return to station.

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For more information please telephone Becky Mack, Swanage RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 07812 558487 or at [email protected]

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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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