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Red flare sighting sparks lifeboat launch

Lifeboats News Release

A member of reported seeing a red flare in the area of Peveril Point to the UK Coastguard, The Coastguard in turn requested the launch of Swanage's all-weather lifeboat to investigate.

Swanage lifeboat search pattern

RNLI

Swanage lifeboat search pattern
The lifeboat launched with 6 volunteer crew aboard and started searching the immediate area. With nothing found the search area was increased to include Durlston Bay and slightly further out to sea.

After over an hour of searching and with nothing found it was thought that the lights on low flying military helicopters operating in the area may have been mistaken for a red flare.

The lifeboat was released and was soon back on its slipway where it was washed down and made ready for service.

ALB Crew: (Coxn) Tom Greasty, John Deas, Matthew Steeden, Bryan Jones, Duncan Youngs, Alice Haw
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, (Winchman) Ben Jarvis, Ben Clarke, Jamie Trumper Notes to Editors
  • Photograph of. Credit RNLI

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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 142,700 lives.

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