Inshore lifeboat tasked to swimmer in difficulty

The crew were paged and the ILB was afloat just over 10 minutes later. As the ILB made its way across Swanage Bay information came over the radio that there was a chance the casualty had made it ashore but the crew were requested to continue as this hadn't been confirmed yet. The crew started a shoreline search from Ocean Bay towards the southern end of Swanage Beach with Coastguard volunteers doing the same on the beach.

After a few minutes of searching the UK Coastguard contact the ILB to say that they have received a phone call from the first informant to say that the swimmer was now safely ashore and didn't require any assistance. With this new information the ILB was stood down to return to station.

The swimmer visited Swanage Lifeboat Station the next day to show his gratitude and to thank the crew for launching to assist.

ILB Crew: (Helm) Alice Haw, Bryan Jones, Martha Tavinor
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, Archie Burgess, Neil Collings

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.