
Both Swanage lifeboats launch to emergency distress beacon near Swanage
A personal locator beacon (PLB) signal was picked up by the UK Coastguard. The location was vague, but investigations suggested that the owner was diving from Swanage.
The all-weather lifeboat's radio systems were configured to listen for distress beacon signals and very soon the lifeboat was able to detect the signal - but was unable to decode any position information from it. At around 9.00pm the UK Coastguard received some information that enabled the local volunteer coastguard team to identify a possible location for the person owning the beacon. The team went to the location and found the owner, safe and well. The beacon had been accidentally activated without the owner's knowledge.
With the situation resolved and the PLB de-activated, both boats were free to return to station within half and hour of launching to be made ready for the next incident.
ALB Crew: (Coxn) Gavin Steeden, Steve Williams, John Deas, Matthew Steeden, Roydon Woodford, Andy Redout, Alan Parmenter
ILB Crew: (Helm) Tom Greasty, Darren Tomes, Phil Palmer
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, (Winchman) Nigel Bower, Ben Bamber, Martha Tavinor
For more information please telephone Becky Mack, Swanage RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 07812 558487 or at [email protected]
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.