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Poole volunteers respond to two medical emergencies and a boat reported on fire

Lifeboats News Release

Busy evening for Poole Lifeboat volunteers as they were preparing for the Lifeboat Open Day on Sunday, with three taskings from HM Coastguard in a row on Friday evening.

RNLI/Poole

Poole volunteers evacuating the casualty from the charter vessel
Poole Lifeboat was requested to launch by HM Coastguard at 6:35pm (Friday August 4) to a distress call from a vessel which was reported to be on fire.

A 34ft yacht with 4 people on board, had raised the alarm, when smoke was seen coming from their engine room. The vessel was close to the Chain ferry as the drama was unfolding and drifting towards the ferry. The harbour patrol boat ‘Vixen’ was in the vicinity and responded to the call for help. Conditions in the harbour were clear with a north westerly breeze F3.

The lifeboat launched swiftly and was soon on scene and found the stricken vessel undertow by the Harbour patrol boat by Brownsea Roads, the lifeboat transferred a crewmember onboard who checked that the people were ok, there was no sign of fire or smoke, however the engine compartment was very warm. The lifeboat took over the tow and brought the vessel safely back to Poole Yacht Club.

When all was safe and well, the lifeboat returned to station and was just rehousing the boat as the D class was launching, literally ‘Ships passing in the night’.

The D class launched just before 8pm, HM Coastguard tasked the lifeboat volunteers to a 40ft yacht with two people on-board who were at anchor at Goathorn, which is situated at the southern end of Poole Harbour, one of the people onboard had injured her hand.

The lifeboat arrived on sea, crewmembers administered casualty care and it was soon clear that the casualty would need further medical treatment. The D class brought the two people back to the lifeboat station and a taxi was arranged to take them onto Poole hospital. The D class was made ready for service by 9.10pm.

Whilst the D class was out on service, the Atlantic was requested to relaunch at 8.20pm.

A call had come through to HM Coastguard from one of the charter vessels that was out in the harbour, they had requested assistance as a person onboard had been taken ill and needed to be evacuated.

The lifeboat rendezvoused with the vessel at Brownsea Roads, members of the crew were transferred onto the boat and carried out a medical assessment, the casualty was quite poorly, so an ambulance was requested to stand by. Casualty care was ongoing, and oxygen administered. Once the vessel arrived at Poole Quay, two paramedics boarded the vessel.

The lifeboat crew, paramedics and Poole Coastguard Rescue Team extracted the casualty, who was in a tricky location.

As the tide was low, it was deemed a bit hazardous to transfer the casualty up from the vessel onto the quay so they transferred him safely on a basket stretcher and onto the lifeboat, where he was made comfortable. A paramedic from the ambulance came aboard the lifeboat, to take care of the casualty as it made its way back to the station.

The casualty was safely transferred to the ambulance and taken off to hospital for further treatment.

The lifeboat crew, washed down, refuelled and the lifeboat was made ready for service by 9.30pm. We wish the poorly casualties well and a speedy recovery.

This evening took the call outs for Poole Lifeboat volunteers to 86 so far this year.

RNLI/Poole

The towline being passed to the yacht

RNLI/Poole

The casualty being handed over to the ambulance service

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 146,000 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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