
Multiple call outs for Mudeford RNLI at Bournemouth Air Festival
While the skies were buzzing over Bournemouth at the annual Air Festival there was plenty happening on the water too.
With lots of people out on their boats enjoying the sunshine and the displays, it was a busy time for the Mudeford RNLI volunteer crew providing safety cover at the air show.
On Saturday 2 September, at 12pm the crew were tasked to assist a vessel that had broken down south-west of Long Groyne. The Mudeford RNLI crew were on scene at 12.15pm and found the casualties on board safe and well. The boat was then towed to safety and the Mudeford lifeboat returned to air show patrol at 12.22pm.
At 1.26pm the crew were alerted to a missing six year old on Bournemouth beach. Working with Poole RNLI lifeboat, the Mudeford lifeboat crew commenced a search east of Bournemouth pier while Poole lifeboat searched to the west. A short time later the child was located on shore safe and well and both crews were stood down.
On Sunday 3 September at 12pm after a morning training exercise, the Mudeford lifeboat was back on patrol at the air show. During a very hot day for the volunteer crew, the Mudeford Servant Atlantic 85 lifeboat was on station at Poole Bay with the crew members providing assistance to vessels struggling with engine problems.
At 5.46pm whilst returning to station, the Mudeford RNLI crew received a tasking from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) following reports of a collision between two vessels south of Bournemouth pier. Poole RNLI lifeboat and Dorset Marine Police unit were also tasked to respond.
The Mudeford RNLI lifeboat arrived on scene at 6.01pm. Already attending was a RNLI lifeguard who had reached the casualties on a jet ski. Casualty care trained crew, assessed, and provided treatment to multiple casualties on the two vessels. The casualties were then transferred to Poole lifeboat along with Mudeford RNLI casualty care crewmembers, to rendezvous with an ambulance at Poole Lifeboat Station. The Mudeford lifeboat then towed one of the badly damaged vessels to Cobbs Quay Marina at Poole.
The crew returned to station at 9.30pm and the lifeboat was ready for service at 10pm.
RNLI volunteer Helm, Andy Read, said, ‘This was a serious incident and the crews of the Poole and Mudeford lifeboats worked together with our emergency services colleagues to provide assistance and treatment for the casualties. A big thank you also to all the other vessels who offered to assist. We hope the casualties make a speedy recovery.’
Mudeford Lifeboat Operations Manager, Tim Hewett, added, ‘The Bournemouth Air Festival is always a popular event and a busy time for the Mudeford RNLI crew and all the emergency services teams. With so many boats in the area events can quickly escalate and the RNLI has a vital role to play keeping people safe on the water. We are pleased all the casualties were successfully recovered.’
The Mudeford Servant lifeboat has been called out 73 times so far this year, more than the whole of 2022 when the station had 65 shouts.
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.