Multiple shouts in busy week for Swanage RNLI lifeboat crews

Launch one happened on Wednesday 14th May, shortly after 3pm, when a 13 metre yacht was becalmed (unable to move due to a lack of wind) in the shipping lanes. An ‘all ships’ call was broadcast by HM Coastguard to see if any passing vessels were available to offer assistance.

However, after some time, no vessels were able to offer help and, despite ships in the vicinity being aware of the yacht, it was seen to be a considerable hazard to the safe passage of the large number of ships using the lanes.

Assistance from Swanage lifeboat was requested and the volunteer crew launched the all- weather lifeboat, George Thomas Lacy, into calm conditions, but with a sizeable ebb tide flowing. The yacht's reported position was plotted, a little more than 25 nautical miles south of Anvil Point.

Nearly an hour later the lifeboat closed the yacht's position and placed a crew on board to help the yacht's crew of four set up a tow and begin the long passage back to Swanage.

Good progress was made in the flat conditions, but the tow still took four hours and the yacht was secured to the lifeboat mooring in Swanage Bay at 8.15pm. The crew remained on board for the night and made arrangements for diagnosing and fixing their engine fault the following morning.

The lifeboat was washed down and re-fuelled after more than 5 hours at sea.

Three days later, on Saturday 17th May, the volunteers responded to their third shout of the week, when a local dive RIB (rigid inflatable boat) had broadcast a 'Mayday' after one of their divers surfaced with severe back pain. The UK Coastguard then tasked the rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent and the Swanage RNLI volunteers.

The all weather lifeboat, George Thomas Lacy, launched and was soon alongside the dive RIB, that was making its way back to Poole Harbour. The helicopter arrived at a similar time and due to the size of the RIB it was decided to lower the helicopter's paramedic to the deck of the lifeboat and transfer them to the dive RIB from aboard the lifeboat. Once this was done, and the casualty was assessed by the paramedic, it was decided that the best course of action was for the casualty to remain on their boat and seek further medical attention once ashore if required.

The paramedic was taken back aboard the lifeboat and transferred back to the helicopter. With the situation resolved the lifeboat was released to return to station.

The final launch of the week came on Sunday 18th May, when volunteer crews for both the all- weather lifeboat, George Thomas Lacy, and the inshore lifeboat, Roy Norgrove, were launched to assist two people in a two seat kayak in difficulties off Old Harry Rocks.

Both boats launched and crews were soon on scene at Old Harry Rocks. In the time it took the lifeboats to launch and arrive, a passing RIB had taken the two people ashore to the Studland side of the headland.

The inshore lifeboat put a volunteer crew member ashore to assess the situation. The two kayakers had been in the water when they capsized and were cold and tired. Although they were warming up in the sun, they accepted the offer of a lift back to Knoll Beach where they had launched from earlier.

Once this was done both lifeboats were released to return to Swanage.