On Bank Holiday Monday, 28 August at 1.52pm, the Mudeford RNLI lifeboat crew were tasked to a female swimmer who, feeling unwell, had made it back to shore at Beckton Bunny. An
ambulance crew were already in attendance and were concerned the casualty needed further treatment.
The Mudeford Servant Atlantic 85 lifeboat arrived on scene at 2.11pm. The medics requested the lifeboat crew to assist in extracting the casualty to Lymington and a waiting ambulance. Working with the ambulance team, the lifeboat crew took the casualty and two medics on board. The lifeboat reached Lymington at 2.47pm where the casualty was safely transferred to the ambulance for further treatment.
RNLI volunteer Launch Authority, Graeme Staddon, commented, 'The location and condition of the casualty made an extraction by boat the best option for a safe recovery. This is a great example of how working together with other emergency services we were able to successfully get the casualty to safety.’
The RNLI Mudeford lifeboat was stood down at 3.00pm.
While returning to station the crew were re-tasked to the Isle of Wight to assist a sinking motor vessel with six people on board near the Needles. The crew reached the vessel at 3.15pm. Four of the six people on board had transferred to another vessel in the area and no medical attention was required.
With the engine compartment flooded, members of the lifeboat crew transferred to the casualty vessel and set up a salvage pump to clear the water. Once emptied the crew then managed to block the source of the leaks.
The boat was then towed back to Lymington by the Mudeford lifeboat crew and handed off to Lymington RNLI who took the vessel and casualties to the marina.
Volunteer Helm, Pete Dadds said, ‘The casualty vessel was taking on water fast, however, we were able to prevent the boat from sinking and with support from other vessels in the area all the casualties were safely recovered.’
On Thursday, 31 August, a 30 foot fishing boat suffered engine failure. Drifting on to shore at Highcliffe beach, the casualties had contacted HM Coastguard to request assistance. The Mudeford RNLI crew launched at 1.17pm and arrived on scene at 1.20pm.
The crew quickly established the two casualties were on shore safe and well. The lifeboat then secured a tow line to the stricken vessel and took it to Mudeford Quay before returning to station at 2.02pm. The Coastguard transported the two casualties back to their boat.
Later that night at 11.25pm, the Mudeford RNLI lifeboat was requested by Dorset Police and Southbourne and Poole Coastguard to assist a man who had jumped into the water near Boscombe Pier and was in difficulty.
The lifeboat reached the scene at 11.50pm. An ambulance was also on scene and a rescue buoy had been lowered to the casualty. The Mudeford lifeboat crew managed to get the casualty safely on board and then take him to shore where he was passed to the emergency services. The lifeboat and crew returned to station at 11.59pm.
The Mudeford RNLI Lifeboat has launched 69 times so far this year.
· 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
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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.