All-weather lifeboat tasked mid channel to reports of a boat in difficulties
Swanage's Shannon class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) was tasked to reports of an inflatable boat in difficulties 24nm SSW of Swanage.
The Swanage RNLI volunteers were tasked along with the Coastguard helicopter and a border force patrol boat.
Conditions were good allowing the lifeboat to proceed at full speed, arriving on scene shortly after the helicopter at 9.25am. Initial indications from the helicopter were that they could not locate the boat anywhere in the immediate area so they started to fly a search pattern to try and locate the vessel reported to be in difficulties.
The lifeboat was asked to slowly motor north to keep close to the area the helicopter was searching in case something was found. After 90 minutes of searching and with nothing found the helicopter and the lifeboat were stood down to return to station.
ALB Crew: (Coxn) Dave Turnbull, Robert Aggas, John Deas, Phil Palmer, Sam Aggas, Fergus Holley
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Andy Redout, (Winchman) Paul Meacham, Danielle Dix, Jeremy Stein
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.
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