Multiple calls keeps Poole RNLI volunteers busy
Poole lifeboat was tasked by UK Coastguard at 9.45pm (Saturday June 21) to a 28ft Yacht that had issued a PAN PAN. A PAN PAN is an urgent VHF radio call which conveys that you have a problem and would like some assistance, but it is not a life-threatening event.
The yacht with one adult and two children on-board, was thought to be stuck on the Training Bank. The Training Bank is a rocky groyne at the harbour entrance that runs alongside the main navigable channel.
However, whilst on route the lifeboat was tasked immediately to Bournemouth Pier to a report of a person in the water.
Back at the lifeboat station the D class was tasked to assist the stricken yacht, but then news came through that the ‘person in the water’ was safe, so the lifeboat was stood down and re-deployed back to the yacht at the Training Bank, the D class launch was cancelled.
The lifeboat crew checked that all on board was okay, they found that the yacht was afloat, but its anchor had got caught in the rocks on the Training Bank, so the vessel was stuck. As the anchor was submerged, they were unable to free it. On investigation the crew suggested to release all the anchor chain from the boat to hopefully free it themselves, which on this occasion worked. The vessel floated free, and lifeboat then escorted the boat safely around the training bank, back into the harbour. The casualty was happy to proceed on his own, so the
Lifeboat returned to station and was made ready for service just after midnight.
Lifeboat returned to station and was made ready for service just after midnight.
Then dawned another day.
Poole Lifeboat volunteers were tasked whilst out on exercise, just before 10am (Sunday June 22) to respond to a Pan Pan from a10m catamaran with two people and a dog on board that had gone aground on Stoney Island.
Stoney Island is a stoney sandbank that reveals itself at low water and is near to the entrance of the Harbour. The lifeboat crew conducted a welfare check, to make sure everyone was okay, the crew reset the vessels anchor and gave some advice, then the Coastguard immediately re-tasked the lifeboat at 10.30am to a report of a paddle boarder near no 10-buoy struggling against the tide and perilously drifting into the main channel. The lifeboat recovered the paddle boarder and took her ashore to the beach at Shell Bay.
Stoney Island is a stoney sandbank that reveals itself at low water and is near to the entrance of the Harbour. The lifeboat crew conducted a welfare check, to make sure everyone was okay, the crew reset the vessels anchor and gave some advice, then the Coastguard immediately re-tasked the lifeboat at 10.30am to a report of a paddle boarder near no 10-buoy struggling against the tide and perilously drifting into the main channel. The lifeboat recovered the paddle boarder and took her ashore to the beach at Shell Bay.
Weather conditions were good and clear, with a brisk south-westerly breeze 4-5. With the paddleboarder safely ashore, the lifeboat returned to station, refuelled and was just being washed down when at 12pm the Coastguard tasked to the lifeboat again to assist an inflatable kayak with two people on-board that was struggling in the conditions.
The kayakers were reported to be by No 8 buoy, which is on the west side of the Swash Channel, the lifeboat was soon on scene, however the crew could not see anyone in difficulty. The lifeboat searched and went along the shoreline, but there was no sign.
After a thorough sweep with nothing untoward, the coastguard stood the lifeboat down with thanks at 1pm, but for not long, the lifeboat was re-tasked again.
The Lifeboat was tasked to a report of three paddleboarders drifting out from Studland bay. Once more, the lifeboat crew conducted a search to locate the casualties, after a short spell, information came through that the paddleboarders were believed to be safe ashore, the lifeboat crew did a quick comb of Knoll Beach, it was extremely busy, but nothing was untoward.
The lifeboat then came across a person and their dog on another paddleboard close to Old Harry Rocks, with the freshening conditions, the lifeboat crew brought the person and dog back to the shore Swanage Coastguards were on scene to meet the casualty.
The lifeboat crew returned to station, refuelled and were ready for service by 15.30pm.
A long shift with challenging conditions.
The RNLI urges anyone heading out on a paddleboard or kayak to be prepared:
Always wear a buoyancy aid or lifejacket
- Check the weather and tide conditions –
- Offshore winds can quickly sweep you out to sea
- Carry a means of calling for help – a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch or a VHF radio
- Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back
- If you’re in trouble, stay with your board and call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
- You don’t need to be far from shore to get into danger.
- Even experienced paddlers can get caught out by changing weather or currents.
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.