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Inshore lifeboat launches in choppy seas to check yacht in Swanage Bay

Lifeboats News Release

The UK Coastguard contacted the Swanage RNLI volunteers to request that the inshore lifeboat (ILB) carry out a welfare check on the crew of a yacht anchored at the Northern end of Swanage Bay.

Swanage inshore lifeboat standby by the vessel as the anchor was recovered

Swanage Coastguard

Swanage inshore lifeboat standby by the vessel as the anchor was recovered
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The ILB launched in to choppy seas and made best speed to the yacht's location. Once on scene they chatted with the skipper and suggested that a move to Poole Harbour would be safer and more comfortable as the yacht was rolling and pitching heavily in the swell kicked up by the easterly wind which was forecast to continue overnight and as the tide was falling.

The skipper agreed, started his engine and retrieved the anchor in challenging conditions before heading to Poole with the ILB escorting. Swanage Coastguard were also monitoring progress from the clifftop.

When the yacht reached the swash channel the UK Coastguard was content to release the ILB and leave the yacht to continue on its own. The ILB returned to Swanage just before 11am.

ILB Crew: (Helm) Becky Mack, Ben Jarvis, Alice Haw

Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, Phil Palmer, Neil Collings, Julian Vass, Jack Thompson
Yacht at anchor in Swanage Bay as swell increases due to easterly wind

Swanage Coastguard

Yacht at anchor in Swanage Bay as swell increases due to easterly wind
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RNLI Media Contacts

Becky Mack, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]

Stella Sims, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 316675, [email protected]

Sam Haddad, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 01202 137713, [email protected]

Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.

About the author

Becky Mack
Lifeboat Press Officer, Swanage Lifeboat Station

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