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Night Search for Mudeford RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

At 8.48pm on Friday 25 August, the volunteer RNLI Mudeford crew were requested to launch to locate a 22 foot sailing vessel. The boat was travelling from Chichester to Poole with one person on board.

Night-time photo of 'Mudeford Servant' returning to Mudeford RNLI Lifeboat Station.

RNLI/Rob King

'Mudeford Servant' returning to Mudeford RNLI Lifeboat Station.

A family member raised the alarm after losing contact with the vessel which was last located approximately one mile off Hengistbury Head.

The Atlantic 85 lifeboat Mudeford Servant launched at 9.02pm and was in the vicinity at 9.06pm. The light was fading but weather conditions were good as the crew commenced an extensive west to east search of the area from Christchurch Bay to Poole Bay stepping out a half mile on each sweep.

Also assisting in the search were Southbourne Coastguard Rescue Team, the RNLI Yarmouth lifeboat, and a HM Coastguard helicopter.

Brief audio contact with the missing vessel at 9.48pm confirmed that the casualty could not identify his location so the search area was extended further west.

After nearly two hours the vessel was eventually located by Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat and Coastguard helicopter at Hurst Castle. A member of the Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat crew transferred to the vessel and with the casualty found safe and well assisted in taking the vessel to Yarmouth.

Volunteer RNLI Helm, Andy Read, said ‘The family member took swift action to raise the alarm once they had lost contact with the vessel. This was the right decision. Not being able to establish consistent contact with the vessel made it difficult to locate and establish its status and condition.

However, good coordination between the multiple search teams eventually led to a successful outcome. Before setting out on any voyage, it is important to be prepared with the right equipment on board and to ensure someone on shore is aware of your plans in case an unforeseen situation or emergency arises.’

The Mudeford Servant lifeboat has launched 64 times so far this year.

Photo:

'Mudeford Servant' returning to Mudeford RNLI Lifeboat Station.

RNLI Media contacts

· Robert King, Mudeford volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, 07810 637471 [email protected]

· Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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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