Paddleboarder caught out by fresh winds at Old Harry

The prolonged warm weather and sunshine continues to attract more and more people to the Dorset coastline. On Sunday afternoon a paddleboarder had left Studland Beach to explore Old Harry. The westerly wind picked up and the adventurer became stranded. Alerted by the paddleboarder's family, HM Coastguard requested the launch of Swanage's ILB.

The ILB launched quickly and had located the stranded person within a few minutes. Happy to see the volunteers, the casualty assured the crew that they were in good health and did not need any medical assistance. The lifeboat crew took the person on board and returned them and their equipment to Studland Beach to be reunited with their family.

At 6:55pm the lifeboat was back at its station and ready for its next tasking.

ILB Crew: (Helm) Darren Tomes, Andy Redout, Archie Burgess
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Paul Meacham, Ben Bamber, Neil Brooks

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.

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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.