All-weather lifeboat launches to investigate Mayday call
Swanage's all-weather lifeboat was tasked this afternoon to assist in a search for a boat thought to be sinking near Anvil Point.
Twenty minutes in to the initial search formal search instructions were received and the lifeboat altered course to carry out the new search instructions slightly further to the North East.
The four legs of the search were run as per the UK Coastguard's instructions and nothing was found. The lifeboat was then tasked to carry out a shoreline search from Anvil Point to Peveril Point. This was completed and again, nothing was found.
As all units came to the end of their respective searches they were released to return to station. The UK Coastguard are treating it as a hoax call pending further information.
ALB Crew: (Coxn) Dave Turnbull, Steve Williams, Tom Greasty, Gavin Steeden, Bryan Jones, Scott Turner
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, (Winchman) Julian Vass, Martha Tavinor, Neil Collings
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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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