Multiple calls and large scale search for Poole lifeboats
On a blustery afternoon (Saturday 16 August) Poole D class was initially launched at 1:30pm to 3 people on one paddleboard being blown offshore from the area of Whitley Lake near Sandbanks.
Arriving on scene, a vessel from Poole Harbour Commissioners had picked up the male and two children who were extremely cold. Further information came through that a female had been attempting to swim out to them so the D class commenced a search.
The woman, concerned for the three people on the paddleboarders was located by the D class waist deep heading for the shore. As the woman was upset a crew member escorted her to a point of safety where Poole Coastguard Team were also in attendance.
The D class then returned the three paddleboarders ashore from the harbour patrol vessel.
The D class was then tasked to two further paddleboarders near Salterns who had been picked up by another patrol vessel but had then since re entered the water. These two were located and observed until safely ashore.
An immediate request then came through from HM Coastguard at 2:40pm to proceed to Bournemouth Pier for a missing 9 year old girl. Swanage all-weather lifeboat, which had just completed a separate tasking was also asked to assist.
At the same time, a missing 15 year old was reported East of Bournemouth Pier. Poole lifeboat and Mudeford lifeboat were tasked to this incident and a search carried out.
With two taskings in a similar area, Swanage all-weather lifeboat took on the role of on-scene co-ordinator and planned a search for both casualties with all four lifeboats searching from Boscombe Pier to the west of Bournemouth Pier.
As the search started, Mudeford lifeboat requested assistance from Poole D class as they were attempting to pull two young females from the water in choppy conditions.
Poole D class took the two people off Mudeford Lifeboat and took them ashore and were greeted by RNLI lifeguards who continued casualty care checks whilst the lifeboats resumed the search.
A police launch from Poole and the rescue helicopter also assisted in the search.
At approximately 4:20pm, information came through that the girl had been found ashore safe and well and was with Police officers.
As both Poole lifeboats were returning, they were re-tasked by HM Coastguard to reports of something black seen from the shore approximately half a mile out to sea.
Arriving at the location, a black fishing pot buoy was located and it was confirmed that this was what they could see.
Both Poole lifeboats were then stood down and re-fuelled and ready for service by 5:45pm.
Both Poole lifeboats have now launched 90 times this year.
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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