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Shannon tasked to large area search for a missing person in Weymouth Bay

Lifeboats News Release

The Swanage volunteers had just finished their weekly training when a call came in from the UK Coastguard.

Swanage lifeboat crew

RNLI/Roydon Woodford

Swanage lifeboat crew
They requested that Swanage's all weather lifeboat joined a large area search in Weymouth Bay for a missing person.

The lifeboat launched and arrived on scene just under 50 miuntes later. Search instructions had already been passed by the UK Coastguard so the searchlights were rigged and the search started immediately.

90 minutes in to the search the casualty was spotted in the water a short distance away from the lifeboat. The casualty was quickly recovered, given immediate casualty care and taken at full speed to a waiting ambulance at Weymouth Lifeboat Station.

Ambulance paramedics and the heli-med paramedic took over the casualty care but sadly, despite everyone's efforts, the casualty was declared deceased.

The Swanage crew were invited in to Weymouth Lifeboat Station for a coffee and a debrief before returning to Swanage just after 2am.

Our thoughts are with the casualty's family and friends.

ALB Crew: (Coxn) Gavin Steeden, Tom Greasty, John Deas, Matthew Steeden, Phil Palmer, Ben Jarvis
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, (Winchman) Luke Kill, Jamie Trumper, Nigel Bower

RNLI media contacts

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

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 142,700 lives.

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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.

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