All weather lifeboat launched to disabled fishing boat
Swanage's Shannon class all weather lifeboat was tasked late on Friday night to assit an 11m commercial fishing boat with steering failure 17Nm SSE of Swanage.
The lifeboat launched with 6 volunteer crew aboard and made best speed towards the casualty's last known position.
An hour later the lifeboat arrived on scene. After a chat with skipper he confirmed that he and the 2 crew were safe and well but they were becoming increasingly concerned about the cruise ships passing through the area and their inability to control their vessel. A lifeboat crew member was put aboard the fishing vessel along with a drogue to steady the boat when it was under tow. The towline was passed across, made secure and the slow 24 mile tow to Poole Harbour commenced.
Six hours later the lifeboat and its tow arrived safely at Poole Quay boat haven. The stricken fishing boat was secured to a berth and the lifeboat returned to Swanage.
After just under 8 hours at sea the volunteers were finally back in Swanage, the lifeboat was recovered up its slipway, washed down, refuelled and made ready for the next service.
ALB Crew: (Coxn) Gavin Steeden, Dave Turnbull, Tom Greasty, Roydon Woodford, Phil Palmer, Neil Brooks
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, Ben Bamber, Adam O'Neill
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
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