Mudeford RNLI rescue run aground rib
On Saturday 22 Feb at 1.31pm, the Mudeford RNLI volunteer crew were alerted to a 5m rib that had run aground on the sandbar at the entrance to Christchurch Harbour.
The incident was spotted by several members of the public who seeing the occupant in difficulty raised the alarm.
Mudeford RNLI volunteer Launch Authority, Simon Challis, immediately tasked the lifeboat crew to launch and the Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Henrietta H, was on scene by 1.39pm. The crew found the casualty standing in the water, trying to move his vessel to a deeper channel. Large waves were also crashing over stern of the rib.
With HM Coastguard notified of the situation, the crew got the rib afloat and made the decision to tow the vessel into Christchurch Harbour where they were joined by Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team. The casualty then felt confident to make his own way back in the rib to his mooring and the lifeboat returned to station at 2.09pm.
Launch Authority, Simon explains, ‘The channel at the entrance to Christchurch Harbour is always shifting as weather and tidal currents move the sandbar. We would always advise getting local knowledge on potential hazards before setting out.’
Simon continued, ‘We are very grateful to all the members of the public who raised the alarm, their quick action helped to prevent the situation from potentially becoming more serious. If you ever see anyone in difficulty on or near the water call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
The Mudeford RNLI Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Henrietta H, has launched six times this year so far and the Mudeford RNLI volunteer crew attended 82 shouts in 2024 and 85 shouts in 2023.
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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