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Lifeboat launches to yacht needing assistance in Studland Bay

Lifeboats News Release

A 40' yacht found they were tangled on a mooring in Studland Bay, unable to make way or release the mooring, they called UK Coastguard to request assistance.

Swanage ALB in Swanage Bay

RNLI

Swanage ALB in Swanage Bay
The UK Coastguard requested assistance from the Shannon class Swanage lifeboat. The volunteer crew assembled and the boat launched into a fresh easterly wind, forecast to increase overnight. As the lifeboat rounded Old Harry, contact was made with the yacht and they were quickly located.

The yacht had become fouled on one of the moorings and was swinging from its rudder. The skipper had deployed their anchor but had been unable to free the yacht so had, sensibly, asked for help.

Crew aboard the lifeboat could see the mooring buoy tight under the yacht's transom and a plan was made to pull the buoy out in order to get a clearer view of the situation. A crew member was placed on board the yacht and was able to thread a rope through the buoy from the yacht's transom platform.
As soon as the rope was pulled the mooring buoy freed itself from the rudder and the yacht swung around to its anchor.

The engine and steering were checked, then the anchor was retrieved with the yacht under its own power. The yacht made its way to the Swash channel and into Poole Harbour, escorted by the lifeboat.

The yacht and its two occupants were happy to proceed to Poole Quay, where a berth had been arranged for the night, so the volunteer crew member was recovered to the lifeboat which was then free to return to Swanage. The lifeboat and crew were back on the slipway being washed down at around 6.45pm

ALB Crew: (Coxn) Gavin Steeden, Robert Aggas, Steve Williams, Roydon Woodford, Alan Parmenter, Fergus Holley

Shore Crew: (Winchman) Gary Buglass, Ben Bamber, Adam O'Neill, Simon Foote, Archie Burgess

RNLI volunteer media contact

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.

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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.

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