Poole RNLI with launch multiple times during busy period
Poole Lifeboat was requested to launch by UK coastguard just after 10.30pm (Thursday June 12) to a broken down 19ft Shetland boat with 3 people on-board, they were drifting just outside the entrance of the harbour.
The vessel had encountered a mechanical failure, one person on-board reported to be suffering with sea sickness.
Conditions were clear, with a southerly breeze 2-3.
The lifeboat arrived on scene and checked everyone was okay, whilst on scene, a temporary repair was made by the occupants; to get the engine going again. The lifeboat escorted the stricken vessel through the darkness, back to Baiter slipway where Poole Coastguard Rescue Team were on scene.
The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service, by 12.45am.
A busy Father’s Day for the volunteers saw 3 requests for help.
Poole D class launched at 3:20pm (Sunday June 15) after a rescue boat from East Dorset sailing club reported that a person was potentially in difficulty, in the water.
The D class arrived at East Dorset Sailing Club to find the person had been recovered onto their rescue boat and was extremely cold. Volunteer crew were transferred across to assess the person and to help with the handover to the ambulance. Poole CRT were also on scene.
With the person safe the lifeboat returned to station.
Poole helm Dave Riley said: ‘Thanks to those onboard the East Dorset Sailing Club rescue boat for assisting the person initially and informing the coastguard.’
Poole lifeboat was then tasked by UK Coastguard at 4.30pm (Sunday June 15th) to assist a 22ft motor vessel, with one person on-board who had issued a PAN-PAN after suffering engine failure, his anchor was not holding in the choppy sea-state and he was being buffeted by the stiff south westerly force 3-4 breeze.
The lifeboat took the vessel under tow and secured it to an eco-mooring in Studland Bay. The lifeboat crew then transferred the casualty along with his outboard engine ashore, for further investigation.
The lifeboat was immediately re-tasked at 6.15pm to a MAY-DAY, a 35ft vessel was taking on water, after hitting the Training Bank.
The Training bank is a 1.5 km long rock groyne running along the entrance of the Swash Channel at the entrance to Poole Harbour. The stricken vessel with 3 people on-board was taking on water and had lost power.
The lifeboat was swiftly on scene and set the stricken vessels anchor so that the boat would not become a risk to navigation by drifting off, the casualties were transferred across to the lifeboat, the crew checked that they were okay and brought them back to Cobbs Quay.
The lifeboat returned to station after refuelling and a wash down being made ready for service by 8.30pm.
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
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