Father s day launch for all-weather lifeboat

The crew of the boat had called '999' multiple times after their engine failed and they were taking on water close inshore near Anvil Point lighthouse.

Due to their location the mobile phone reception was limited and calls kept cutting out, but the UK Coastguard had enough information to request that the lifeboat launch to the area. The lifeboat was on scene 5 minutes after launching.

The four people on the sinking boat were taken on board the lifeboat and their boat taken in tow.

Once back in Swanage they were handed over to the volunteers from Swanage Coastguard and their boat secured to the Council jetty so it could be recovered later in the day.

With the situation resolved the lifeboat was released to return to station.

We remind everyone going to sea to always carry a means of communication so that a call for help can be made if needed. Mobile phone reception is limited along the coast, and carrying a VHF radio may be a more reliable means of communication for some locations.

Did you know that you can now celebrate the life of someone you love by adding their name to Swanage RNLI's lifeboat? Visit www.rnli.org/SwanageLAM for more details.

ALB Crew: (Coxn) Gavin Steeden, Matthew Steeden, Alice Haw, Alan Parmenter, Neil Brooks, Ben Bamber

Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Dave Turnbull, (Winchman) Scott Turner, Jeremy Stein, Neil Collings

For more information please contact:
Becky Mack, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
Charmaine Tideswell, Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
Regional Media Manager Hatti Mellor, [email protected]
or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.