
Swanage lifeboats launch three times in two days
As October drew to a close the volunteers at Swanage Lifeboat Station had a flurry of rescues in the hours of darkness.
On Sunday, shortly after 7pm the Swanage lifeboat, Poole lifeboat and Coastguard helicopter 'Rescue 175' were all scrambled after an urgent call from a yacht declared a medical emergency.
A crewman on board had gone below and, shortly afterwards, was discovered semi-conscious on the floor.
The Swanage all-weather lifeboat (ALB) contacted the yacht and pinpointed its position using RADAR and direction finding VHF equipment. The ALB was alongside a few minutes later and placed two casualty carers on board. Poole lifeboat arrived on scene and also placed a crew member on board.
Next to arrive was 'Rescue 175', who lowered a paramedic and equipment onto the ALB. The paramedic was transferred to the yacht via the Poole lifeboat and further assessments were made.
After a brief discussion about evacuation options, it was decided to transfer the casualty from the yacht to the ALB and run directly to the chain ferry steps in Poole Harbour where and ambulance was available. The casualty was strapped into a stretcher for the journey and the transfer took place in the lee of Studland Bay where the sea state was milder. At the ferry steps the casualty was handed over to ambulance medics and taken to hospital. Volunteer coastguards then took the helicopter paramedic to a helicopter landing site, to be reunited with 'Rescue 175'. The remaining crew on board the yacht were happy to continue without lifeboat support, so both lifeboats were able to return to station. The volunteer Swanage crew washed the boat down at 9.30pm before returning home.
ALB Crew: (Coxn) Dave Turnbull, Robert Aggas, Steve Williams, Gavin Steeden, Darren Tomes, Sam Aggas
Shore Crew: (Winchman) Paul Bedford, (Head Launcher) Andy Redout, Emily Condie, Nigel Bower, Julian Vass
Whilst the all-weather lifeboat already at sea another call for assistance came in from the UK Coastguard.
The D Class inshore lifeboat (ILB) was requested to launch to assist in searching for a missing person thought to be in the Swanage beach area.
With crew already at the station the ILB was quickly afloat and heading across towards the main beach. As the crew were about to commence their search information was received that the person had been found safe and well.
ILB Crew: (Helm) Tom Greasty, Matthew Steeden, Phil Palmer, Andy Redout
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Paul Bedford, Emily Condie, Nigel Bower, Julian Vass
Then on Halloween, just before midnight the all-weather lifeboat was tasked to a yacht in Shell Bay that was dragging its anchor in the gale force winds. The owners of the vessel were onboard and had called for assistance before going aground on Stoney Island and listing heavily.
The Swanage lifeboat quickly arrived on scene and with the yacht aground and winds gusting over 70 knots, it was decided to take the casualties onto the lifeboat and to leave the yacht aground. As the yacht was hard aground the casualties used their tender to reach the lifeboat and were taken ashore to Poole Lifeboat Station. With the casualties safely ashore, the lifeboat was free to return to station in the early hours of the morning.
ALB Crew: (Coxn) Dave Turnbull, Tom Greasty, Gavin Steeden, John Deas, Matt Steeden, Phil Palmer
Shore Crew: (Winchman) Paul Bedford, (Head Launcher) Andy Redout, Martha Tavinor, Nigel Bower, Julian Vass, Jamie Trumper
Notes to Editors
Photograph - Lifeboat launching CREDIT/Becky Mack
RNLI media contacts
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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