Seven shouts in one weekend for Mudeford RNLI

The crew launched at 2.06pm and at 2.18pm were requested to carry out a shoreline search for the missing girl.

At 2.21pm the crew were re-tasked to Christchurch Harbour where two paddleboarders were reported to be in difficulty with the wind blowing them out to sea. Arriving on scene, the crew established that the two casualties were still in the harbour and did not require any further assistance.

At 2.40pm the crew were tasked to a further incident this time as part of a joint search effort for a missing 15 year old boy.

The Mudeford RNLI Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Henrietta H, and crew were requested to search east of Bournemouth pier. Shortly after 3pm, the crew rendezvoused with the Swanage RNLI all-weather lifeboat (ALB) and two inshore lifeboats (ILB) from Poole RNLI. With Swanage RNLI coordinating, the four lifeboats commenced an in-line search pattern at 200m apart.

At 3.20pm the Mudeford lifeboat left the search to recover two female swimmers who were in difficulty in choppy water. Once recovered the Mudeford RNLI crew transferred the two casualties to Poole RNLI’s D-class lifeboat which took them ashore to receive medical attention from the lifeguards.

With the missing boy now located, the crew then rejoined the search for the missing girl. At 4.15pm, the girl was located onshore by the lifeguards and Dorset police. At 4.19pm the crew were stood down.

While returning to station the Mudeford RNLI crew went to the assistance of two teenagers on a paddleboard who had been blown offshore. The lifeboat took the two casualties closer to shore in proximity of the lifeguard tower. The lifeboat returned to station at 4.58pm.

Mudeford RNLI volunteer Launch Authority, Simon Challis, said, ‘This was a challenging afternoon for the local RNLI stations and emergency services with several potentially serious incidents taking place simultaneously. Collaborating with our colleagues from RNLI Poole and RNLI Swanage, the lifeguards, HM Coastguard and Dorset police, all of the casualties were recovered unharmed.

‘This is a busy time of year on our shores. We would advise anyone going in or near the water to always find out about the local weather and tide conditions. Offshore winds, can easily blow a paddleboarder out to sea and whatever your activity on the water always wear an appropriate life jacket or buoyancy aid.’

On the afternoon of Sunday 17 August the Mudeford RNLI crew were tasked to two further shouts. One involved a windsurfer in difficulty who managed to self-recover and the second to locate a paddleboarder reported to be in distress. After an extensive search no casualty could be located and the crew returned to station.

For more information on how to stay safe visit: www.rnli.org/safety

The Mudeford RNLI Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Henrietta H, has launched 55 times this year so far and the crew launched 82 times in 2024.

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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