Swanage Lifeboat launches to search for person reported in danger.

The volunteer lifeboat crew members were summoned to the station in the early afternoon. A walker at the top of Houns Tout reported seeing someone on the shoreline at the bottom of the cliffs trying to make their way westward. The report was supported by observations made by St Alban's National Coastwatch Institution.

It was not long before the all-weather lifeboat (ALB) was heading across Durlston Bay, making its way through the challenging tidal races at Durlston Head and St Aldhelm's Head, and beginning a shoreline search starting in Chapman's Pool. The first informant was still present and indicating that the potential casualty was still heading along the shore towards Kimmeridge. The lifeboat headed west.

Due to the very heavy swell and shallow nature of the ledges in the area, the ALB had to remain at least a quarter of a mile out to sea. The potential casualty was quickly spotted and members of HM Coastguard Rescue Teams joined the incident. However, the Coastguard teams struggled to find a vantage point on the Southwest Coastal Path from which to see the person at the base of the cliffs.

The person did not appear to be in distress but the lifeboat crew monitored their progress along the shore using onboard equipment. As the light began to fade the person turned back and started heading towards the safe exit of Chapman's Pool. Eventually, the person met with HM Coastguard teams in a car park where they explained that they had simply been out for a walk looking for fossils.

Thankfully the person was not in distress, nevertheless the initial report was made in good faith and with the best of intentions.

ALB Crew: (Coxn) Gavin Steeden, Steve Williams, Tom Greasty, John Deas, Matthew Steeden, Neil Brooks
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, (Winchman) Nigel Bower, Paul Meacham, Neil Collings

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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.

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