Both lifeboats launch to broken down boat being washed ashore near Kimmeridge

The 15 foot open motorboat had four people onboard had broken down and was being pushed ashore by the rolling swell. The inshore lifeboat (ILB) was first to launch closely followed by the all-weather lifeboat (ALB). Both boats headed to Brandy Bay, a small bay just to the west of Kimmeridge.

Both lifeboats arrived on scene together and began scouring the area for the casualty vessel. The crew of the ILB spotted the boat and made their way carefully towards it as there was still quite a large ground swell in the area. Once on scene the ILB crew were able to confirm that the 4 people were OK, so their boat was quickly taken in tow and pulled out in to deeper water away from the breaking waves. The 4 people were put aboard the ALB for the short trip back to Kimmeridge whilst the ILB continued to tow their boat. Once safely in Kimmeridge Bay the boat was landed ashore with the volunteers from Kimmeridge Coastguard then the ILB returned to the ALB, collected the 4 casualties and ferried them ashore.

With the situation resolved both boats were released to return to Swanage.

ALB Crew: (Coxn) Dave Turnbull, Steve Williams, Tom Greasty, Becky Mack, Darren Tomes, Andy Redout
ILB Crew: (Helm) Fergus Holley, Matthew Steeden, Alan Parmenter
Shore Crew: Phil Palmer, Nigel Bower, Ben Bamber, Jamie Trumper, (Head Launcher) Paul Bedford, Martha Tavinor, Julian Vass

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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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