Donate now

Multiple RNLI lifeboats in search for missing paddleboarders

Lifeboats News Release

Both Poole lifeboats were tasked by HM Coastguard (July 3) to join in with a large-scale search with multiple afloat and air assets.

Two paddleboarders, believed to be father and teenage son, were reported missing by another family member. The casualties were reported to have been paddleboarding from Studland around Old Harry to Swanage, earlier in the afternoon but they had not arrived.

The Poole Lifeboat crew, joined in with both lifeboats from Swanage, Mudeford lifeboat, Lymington and Yarmouth lifeboat. The Police RIB Buccanner, NPAS Helo, rescue 175, Rescue 186, Coastguards from Poole, Southbourne, and Lymington plus multiple police units.

The lifeboats conducted searches along to Bournemouth and Boscombe Pier, onto Hengistbury Head and some miles off. Visibility was good and the sea state more forgiving than it was earlier in the day, the westerly wind had softened a bit.

The search ensued, coordinated by HM coastguard.

Then news came through that the Father had been found by Yarmouth Lifeboat and was 4 miles east of Old Harry, it was reported that he had lost sight of his son some two hours earlier.

Light was now fading, and the volunteer crew refocused their efforts on searching for the missing son, using the location where the father was found as a marker, working with the sea, down wind and graduating out.

The D class was closer to shore, scanning the beach.

Then good news, a paddleboard had been spotted on the beach near Hengistbury head and it matched the description. All assets kept searching and then news came through that a person had been located by the police on the beach by Bournemouth Pier, it was confirmed that he was the missing person.

All assets were stood down and the lifeboats returned back to station and were made ready for service by midnight after refuelling both lifeboats and crew.

For one volunteer member Ian, a big shift indeed as it was his first “Shout’, well done Ian.

Volunteer Helm Steve Porter said:
‘These guys were incredibly lucky, dad was found a considerable distance off the coast and needed to be airlifted, it was a huge response by all the multi agencies involved, working together and a great result. A life saved.

RNLI/Poole

Both Poole lifeboats (stock image)

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.

Categories