Swanage all-weather lifeboat launches three times in four days

The boat's engine had failed whilst on passage to Plymouth and the two people on board had requested assistance as they were concerned that they would drift closer to the shore and in to danger.

The lifeboat launched and quickly located the boat half a nautical mile East of Anvil Point. The boat was lying beam on and rolling in the swell generated by the brisk NE wind. A crew member was carefully put aboard the boat and the lifeboat's towline was passed across. The boat was then taken in tow and secured to a berth in Poole Quay boat haven.

With the situation resolved the volunteers were released to return to Swanage arriving back on their slipway three hours after launching.

Just a few hours later the Swanage all-weather lifeboat was tasked again this time to head 14 nautical miles out to sea to identify the source of a VHF distress DSC that had been received multiple times from that area. No communication had been able to be established with the possible vessel in difficulties so the lifeboat along with the HM Coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent were tasked to the area to investigate.

The lifeboat launched and headed south at full speed towards the last known position of the radio signal. Arriving on scene just under 30 minutes later a faint RADAR target was picked up about a mile away. The target turned out to be the source of the radio broadcasts, a seven meter yacht with one person on who had suffered steering failure and just as the lifeboat arrived on scene the yacht's mast rigging also failed causing the mast to fall in to the water. The skipper was taken off the yacht and after due consideration the yacht was taken in tow back to Swanage where it was secured to the RNLI mooring just after 8am. The skipper was taken ashore aboard the lifeboat so he could start to arrange repairs to his boat.

On Sunday just before midday the all-weather lifeboat was tasked to a May Day request from a 36 foot cabin cruiser on fire off Hengistbury Head. Poole inshore lifeboat was training in the area and made best speed to the vessel along with the Swanage lifeboat. Upon arrival the fire had extinguished. Two crew members were placed aboard to check the casualties and assess the damage. There did not appear to be any remaining excessive heat and permission was sought from Poole Harbour control to tow the vessel into the harbour to meet the fire brigade to check over the vessel. The lifeboat was requested to take the vessel to Ballast Quay where there was a waiting fire engine and Coastguard Response Team. The vessel was assessed as safe and then taken to Poole yacht haven where the vessel could seek repairs.

With the vessel and crew safe the all-weather lifeboat was free to return to station.

Notes to Editors

• Photograph of Swanage all-weather lifeboat launching. Credit Becky Mack RNLI

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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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