Swanage lifeboat tasked to assist yacht taking on water mid English Channel

Fearing the casualty vessel could capsize, the lifeboat was quick to launch in response to the May Day. A cargo ship had already responded and was keeping a watchful eye on the casualty vessel, ready to help if the situation worsened. Large waves and swell tested the lifeboat's hydraulic seats and crew safety harnesses as it made its way to the casualty's location in the busy shipping channel.

In just over an hour the lifeboat reached the casualty yacht at the same time as an HM Coastguard rescue helicopter arrived. The lifeboat was in the best position to make an assessment of the situation and given that the yacht was making way and that its crew were safe on the deck, the coxswain decided the safest course of action was to remain close and escort it to the nearest safe haven. The yacht's skipper was given advice about preventing the vessel from taking on more water and keeping his crew safe. Both the yacht and the lifeboat set a course towards the Isle of wight and the western entrance to the Solent.

Content that the lifeboat had the incident under control, the helicopter and cargo ship were released by HM Coastguard whilst the lifeboat and trimaran headed for land. The lifeboat made regular welfare checks on the trimaran's crew. On approach to the Needles Swanage Lifeboat liaised with Yarmouth all-weather lifeboat. Yarmouth launched to take over and relieve Swanage. At 9:00 pm. Swanage Lifeboat headed back to station and rehoused just before 10:00pm.

ALB Crew: (Coxn) Dave Turnbull, Gavin Steeden, Matthew Steeden, Phil Palmer, Andy Redout, Neil Brooks
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Paul Meacham, (Winchman) Robert Aggas, Richard Lloyd, Adam O'Neill, Neil Collings

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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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