Both Swanage lifeboats launch to sinking boat
Less than 24 hours after the last callout, both boats launched to a 25ft motorboat that was reported to be sinking quickly with three people onboard.
Both lifeboats launched quickly to the last reported position just off Old Harry Rocks. As the lifeboats approached Old Harry Rocks, updated information confirmed that the sinking boat had continued into Studland Bay.
The D-class inshore lifeboat (ILB) led the way to the vessel’s location, helped by local coastguards who were watching the casualty vessel from ashore. The motorboat was quickly found, tied to a mooring, with the stern of the boat partially submerged and the engine compartment nearly flooded.
The volunteer lifeboat crew found no people onboard as they arrived and received confirmation that the vessel's crew had gone ashore and were all confirmed to be safe and well. The vessel owner had returned to nearby the vessel on a jetski.
In attempt to keep the vessel afloat and avoid the vessel sinking and becoming both a navigation and environmental hazard, crew from the ILB got on board to get access to the flooded areas ready to receive a salvage pump hose, while the all-weather lifeboat (ALB) crew prepared their salvage pump.
The salvage pump was deployed and quickly lowered the water level, allowing the crew to inspect the area of water ingress. Nothing specific could be seen, but water was continuing to flood into the boat.
As the vessel was taking on water fast, a plan was formed to take the motorboat alongside the ILB, with the pump still running, to the nearby slipway and beach it to prevent sinking. The salvage pump was transferred to the vessel, while the ILB crew setup the tow lines. The sinking vessel was soon gently grounded to prevent sinking that could cause environmental damage.
The local coastguard team were at the beach where the vessel was grounded along with the owner while the equipment and personnel were returned to the lifeboats.
Both boats left the scene at 3.00pm and were back in Swanage around 3.15pm, where they were washed down and re-fuelled.
ALB Crew: (Coxn) Gavin Steeden, Steve Williams, John Deas, Becky Mack, Roydon Woodford, Andy Redout, Ben Bamber
ILB Crew: (Helm) Darren Tomes, Matthew Steeden, Felix WilliamsShore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, (Winchman) Nigel Bower, (Winchman) Robert Aggas, Duncan Youngs, Martha Tavinor
For more information please telephone Becky Mack, Swanage RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 07812 558487 or at [email protected]
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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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