Donate now

Swanage Shannon class lifeboat launches to boat with engine failure

Lifeboats News Release

A 7m rigid inflatable boat (RIB) was returning after a weekend on Jersey when it suffered engine failure 8 nautical miles south of Anvil Point.

RIB under tow on Swanage Shannon

RNLI/Andy Redout

Vessel under tow
The boat and both crew were well equipped and able to pass a position to the UK Coastguard, who requested the Swanage Shannon class all-weather lifeboat. A route was plotted to the reported position and a short while later the RIB was contacted on the radio.

The boat had drifted a fair distance on the building tide and fresh breeze, so a combination of RADAR and VHF direction finding equipment was used to locate the vessel. Both crew were taken aboard the lifeboat while a towline was attached ready for a passage back to Swanage.

Good speed was made and the boat was tide alongside the council jetty about 50 minutes later, watched by a few local curious dolphins.

The two crew arranged recovery of their trailer from Poole to pick up the RIB later while the lifeboat was washed down and re-housed, at about 1.00pm, allowing the volunteer crew to get back in time for lunch.

ALB Crew: (Coxn) Dave Turnbull, Steve Williams, Becky Mack, Bryan Jones, Roydon Woodford, Andy Redout
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, (Winchman) Andy Redout, Ben Bamber, Jamie Trumper

Notes to Editors

  • Photograph of vessel under tow, and volunteer crew member Bryan Jones stowing ropes with dolphins along side. Credit Andy Redout/RNLI

RNLI volunteer media contact

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

Bryan Jones towing lines with dolphins in the bay

RNLI/Andy Redout

Bryan Jones towing lines with dolphins in the bay

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