Swanage RNLI volunteers launch into rough seas to assist yacht
Swanage's all-weather lifeboat, George Thomas Lacy, and its volunteer crew launched at 5:01pm on September 20th and headed south west in gale force winds and rough seas to rescue a yacht with three people on board.
The casualty vessel, a 31' ketch, was not under control, with heavy seas and strong winds pushing it towards the rocky cliffs which line the coast south of Swanage.
The volunteer crew were quick to launch and head towards the reported location of the yacht. The yacht's engine was not working and the conditions were such that the crew were unable to control it in the rolling waves. The lifeboat's coxswain decided the safest course of action was to leave the yacht's crew onboard their vessel and tow it to shelter in order to reassess. Given the weather conditions, and rough seas, it was far too dangerous to transfer people between the two boats.
Gale force winds, huge waves and significant swell meant that the lifeboat crew's skills were challenged to the limits. With skilful boat handling, in potentially dangerous proximity to the casualty vessel, and teamwork by the volunteer lifeboat crew, a tow was eventually established. The yacht and RNLI lifeboat headed out of the rough seas and into the comparative calm of Studland Bay. At this point the yacht's crew were taken onboard the lifeboat and two RNLI volunteer crew members were transferred to the yacht so that it could be towed into Poole Yacht Haven and moored up safely.
Not long after 8:00pm the yacht was secured to a pontoon and handed back to its crew. The lifeboat was released from service and returned to Swanage.
For more information please contact:
Becky Mack, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
Charmaine Tideswell, Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
Regional Media Manager Hatti Mellor, [email protected]
or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
RNLI online:
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
Key facts about the RNLI:
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 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.
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.