Swanage RNLI volunteers join the search for overdue yacht.
HM Coastguard requested the Shannon class Swanage lifeboat, George Thomas Lacy, join the search for a solo sailor, reported overdue on passage from Brixham to Portsmouth.
The lifeboat and volunteer crew launched shortly after 9.00am on Saturday (08/02) and were tasked to search the inshore waters between Studland and Durdle Door. Sea conditions enabled a fast passage to the north end of Studland Bay and visibility was good enough for the volunteer crew to confirm that no yachts were anchored either in Studland or Swanage.
The lifeboat retraced its steps to begin the search westwards, with visibility of less than 1nm. Several RADAR targets were investigated on the way to St Albans Head, none were the overdue casualty.
Passing St Albans Head a brief conversation with the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) volunteers confirmed that they were aware of the situation but hadn't logged anything noteworthy. A quick check of Chapmans Pool followed, then the lifeboat proceeded towards Lulworth.
At this time, a volunteer crew from Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station, and a Coastguard fixed wing aircraft were also searching for the overdue yacht, concentrating on the area south and west of Portland Bill.
Just before the Swanage lifeboat reached Lulworth, the Coastguard reported that a signal from a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) had been detected, and a position was passed. The PLB position proved to be much further west than either Swanage or Weymouth volunteer crews were searching and new instructions were passed to Weymouth, while Torbay RNLI lifeboat crew were paged.
The Swanage lifeboat volunteers completed the search to Durdle Door and, shortly afterwards, were released to return to station after hearing that the missing yacht was receiving assistance from a lifeboat.
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.
For more information please contact:
Becky Mack, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
Charmaine Tideswell, Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer,
[email protected]
Regional Media Manager Hatti Mellor,
[email protected]
RNLI press office on 01202 336789 or [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, X, TikTok 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.