All weather lifeboat launches to dinghy in trouble in Studland Bay
Swanage's all weather Shannon class lifeboat was launched in the afternoon to investigate reports of a sailing dinghy in difficulties.
The dinghy was reported to have one person on board, to have capsized multiple times and was being blown out to sea by the strong offshore wind.
Best speed was made towards Studland Bay with the lifeboat arriving 8 minutes later. An initial visual scan of the area was made and nothing matching the dinghy's description was seen. The lifeboat alterted course to head down wind out to sea as the informant on the beach said they had virtually lost sight of the dinghy. A short time later a fishery protection RIB that had responded to the UK Coastguard's 'Pan Pan' request for assistance spotted the casualty vessel. The lifeboat made best speed and was alongside the casualty, now 2Nm NE of Knoll Beach, a few minutes later.
The solo sailor was taken aboard and moved to the lifeboat's wheelhouse to warm up. The dinghy was taken in tow and slowly headed towards Knoll Beach, Studland.
Once in the shallows off Knoll Beach the casualty was handed over to the volunteers from Swanage Coastguard.
With the situation resolved the lifeboat was released to return to Swanage.
ALB Crew: (Coxn) Dave Turnbull, Steve Williams, Becky Mack, Roydon Woodford, Neil Brooks, Scott Turner
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, (Winchman) Nigel Bower, Emily Condie, Jeremy Stein, 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.
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.