
MUDEFORD RNLI RESCUE FAMILY JUST IN TIME
On Thursday 15 August at 10.45am the Mudeford RNLI volunteer crew were tasked to a 37 foot motorboat in difficulty to the west of Hurst Point. The casualty vessel was drifting towards shore with two adults, one child and one dog on board.
The Mudeford Servant Atlantic 85 lifeboat launched at 10.55am in moderate conditions with force 6 winds and waves up to 2m high. The crew arrived on scene at 11.05am and quickly established the vessel had experienced total mechanical failure and was perilously close to shore.
The sea conditions meant it was not possible to transfer the crew of the casualty vessel to the lifeboat safely. With time running out, a member of the Mudeford RNLI lifeboat crew volunteered to transfer to the casualty vessel and assist in setting up a towline.
This was a difficult task, but the crewmember accomplished it, and a towline was fixed to the casualty vessel. The lifeboat then towed the motorboat away from shore and to the safety of the marina at Lymington. The lifeboat and crew then returned to station at 1.40pm.
Mudeford RNLI volunteer Helm, Ian Parker said, ‘This was a rescue that was right down to the wire. If we had not been able to launch as quickly as we did the outcome could have been very different. We are delighted everyone was recovered safe and well.'
The Mudeford Servant Atlantic 85 lifeboat has launched 55 times this year so far and launched 85 times in 2023.
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.
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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.