Poole RNLI assist paddleboarder in difficulty

One person was reported to be in the water, while the other was drifting. One of the paddleboarders was able to call 999 on a mobile phone and ask for the Coastguard.

Poole D class launched into wet and squally conditions and headed for the location of East Dorset Yacht Club. A local fisheries patrol vessel was in the vicinity and also started searching.

Arriving on scene, the Poole Coastguard rescue team confirmed that one person was ashore and were able to indicate which direction the other paddleboarder had gone.

The lifeboat crew conducted a search downwind and spotted the casualty close inshore at Evening Hill. The fisheries vessel also identified the person using specialist equipment onboard.

The person was located holding onto a wooden mooring post close inshore to the houses at Evening Hill.

The casualty was found holding on to a wooden mooring post close to the houses at Evening Hill. They were very cold and were carefully assisted aboard the lifeboat, where a casualty care assessment was carried out.

Due to the location and the casualty’s conditions, they were taken to Salterns Marina for gentle re-warming.

The casualty was then handed over to the care of an ambulance crew for further checks.

Poole Helm, Dave Riley said: ‘The weather today turned very quickly, with stronger winds and rain coming through which caught the paddleboarders out.

‘Thankfully, the person we assisted was wearing a buoyancy aid and had a means of calling for help, so they were able to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’