http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/latest The latest launch info from Swanage Lifeboats en-us Swanage Lifeboat Station 05/02/2012 17:37:29 20 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=658 The first shout of the year came when 'Bobby' the dog fell from the cliff near Old Harry Rocks, Swanage. Bobby's owner could hear him yelping from the top of the cliff and called the Coastguard for help. Portland Coastguard then tasked the Volunteer Coastguard Team from Swanage along with Swanage's Inshore Lifeboat. The Lifeboat was quickly on scene and 2 crew put ashore to check Bobby over. He seemed fine if perhaps a little shocked. He was carried into the Lifeboat and taken to South Beach, Studland, where his owners and the Coastguard Team were waiting. The Coastguards then took him to the vets in Swanage where he was assessed and taken to Wareham for further treatment. We wish Bobby a speedy recovery and hope that Friday the 13th turns out to be lucky for him. Swanage Lifeboat Station 13/01/12 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=657 Both Swanage Lifeboats were called into action today when a member of the public reported a boat in difficulties at Kimmeridge Ledges. The boat was reported as being a RIB with 2 people onboard and it was thought that it could be aground. Both lifeboats launched and made best speed to the area. As they made their way more information was coming in over the radio from Coastguard units tasked to the area to investigate. It seemed that the boat was now starting to move away from the ledges under its own power. The Inshore Lifeboat was the first to round St Albans Head and as they did it was becoming more apparent that lifeboat assistance was not going to be required. As the All Weather Lifeboat approached St Albans Head they received instructions from Portland Coastguard to stand down so both boats returned to Swanage together. Once back at station both boats were rehoused, washed down, refuelled and made ready for the next launch. Swanage Lifeboat Station 17/12/11 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=656 Swanage's All Weather Lifeboat was tasked to assist a 22' motor boat this afternoon. The motor boat had a rope round its propellor that the crew were struggling to free. As the light faded the boat was drifting further out to sea with the wind and tide. The lifeboat launched and headed to the vessel's last known position approx 1Nm ENE of Old Harry rocks. As the lifeboat neared the drifting vessel the crew radioed to say that they had just managed to free the rope and they were now able to get underway themselves. The lifeboat continued on its passage and met up with them to make sure that all was well. As they closed the vessel a pod of 3 or 4 dolphins circled the lifeboat and the casualty vessel. Both boats (and the dolphins) then headed towards Poole Harbour. After 10 mins the casualty vessel was still running well and the crew were happy to return on their own. The lifeboat was then released with the crew's thanks and returned to Swanage. Swanage Lifeboat Station 06/12/11 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=655 The busy spell for the Swanage Lifeboats continued this evening when Portland Coastguard requested the launch of the All Weather Lifeboat to evacuate an injured crewman from a 60' yacht. The crewman had fallen heavily on to the corner of the galley worktop and was complaining of severe chest pains. The lifeboat launched and met up with the yacht just north of the Lifeboat Station. Two first aiders were put aboard to assess the casualty. With the initial assessment done the stretcher was passed across and a short while later the casualty was brought up on to deck and then transferred to the lifeboat. After a short trip back to the lifeboat station the casualty was transferred to waiting Lifeboat crew who then handed him over to ambulance paramedics. The lifeboat was then rehoused, washed down and made ready for further service. Swanage Lifeboat Station 17/10/11 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=654 Swanage's Inshore Lifeboat was in action for the second time today. This time they were requested to launch to recover a dog from the base of the cliff between Blacker's Hole and Dancing Ledge. The dog had been spotted by the crew of a local pleasure trip boat and seemed to be fit and well. The lifeboat launched and was quickly on scene. A crewmember was put ashore and the dog was recovered into the lifeboat. Once back at station Ben the dog was treated to a drink of water and some biscuits whilst he waited for his owner to collect him. It turned out that Ben had gone over the cliff at about 0930 this morning and his owner had been scouring the area ever since. Thankfully Swanage Coastguard spotted the notes that had been pinned to the gate posts with the owner's phone number on and they were able to give him the good news. With dog and owner now reunited the lifeboat crew closed up the boathouse for hopefully the last time today. Swanage Lifeboat Station 16/10/11 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=653 Both boats were tasked to an injured jetskier, hurt after hitting the Condor Ferry's wake at speed. The ILB launched quickly, concerned as the skier was reported as still being in the water and unable to move, and made best speed towards the group of 3 jetskis who the casualty was with. The ALB launched 4 minutes later, again making best speed to the incident. An arrival, the ILB found the skier on his craft, but in considerable pain from an ankle injury. He was transferred carefully to the ILB where his dry suit foot was 'removed' to allow assessment of the injury. When the ALB arrived the crew were able to administer Entonox to help keep the casualty confortable and he was transferred to the bigger ALB for a more confortable ride to an awaiting ambulance at North Haven jetty. The jetski was taken to Sandbanks beach by crewman Darren Tomes, the casualty's companions were then able to arrange for its recovery. Both Lifeboats and their volunteer crew returned to station at 1421hrs. Swanage Lifeboat Station 16/10/11 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=652 A large area search was carried out today after Portland and Solent Coastguard heard a broken Mayday transmission on VHF channel 16 (the distress channel). The transmission also seemed to suggest that the vessel had a man overboard. Both Swanage Lifeboats were tasked along with both lifeboats from Poole, Yarmouth lifeboat and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. Swanage Lifeboat was asked to search 10Nm East of Swanage and then move North a mile and head back towards Old Harry rocks. Swanage's Inshore Lifeboat was asked to search from Old Harry Rocks to St Albans Head then return to Swanage 1Nm out to sea. After just over 2 hours at sea and with nothing found all units were stood down to return to their bases. Its currently unclear where the radio transmission came from. Swanage Lifeboat Station 14/10/11 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=651 At 16:25 Portland Coastguard requested the launch of Swanage's All Weather Lifeboat to go to the assistance of an 8m RIB with steering failure just off Anvil Point. The crew were paged and the Lifeboat launched down her slipway at 16:35. Ten minutes later they were on scene with the stricken vessel that had now been taken in tow by a passing boat. The tow was handed over to the lifeboat and good speed was made back to Swanage. The RIB was then secured to the lifeboat mooring and arrangements were made for a local boat to tow it back to Cobbs Quay in Poole Harbour. The lifeboat was then released to return to station. Swanage Lifeboat Station 01/10/11 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=650 Both Swanage Lifeboats were tasked to the aid of a 28' RIB that had put out a Mayday 0.5Nm E of Old Harry Rocks. They were taking on water fast and they were unsure if their pumps would be able to cope. The 3 people onboard were well equipped with lifejackets and a liferaft but they needed immediate assistance. Both lifeboats launched with the faster inshore lifeboat arriving on scene first. The RIB was found to be motoring slowly on one engine as the other had failed a short time before. The crew were unable to stop the boat as this made the water come in even quicker. Once the all weather lifeboat was on scene the powerful salvage pump was transferred across along with 2 crew. The RIB was then taken in tow so that the engine could be turned off and the water pumped out. Two of the RIB's crew were also transferred to a friend's RIB that had been on the voyage with them. The lifeboat's salvage pump quickly pumped out the bulk of the water but it very quickly came back in once the pump was stopped. The slow tow in to Poole Harbour continued and the salvage pump was left running slowly to keep the water level in the boat to a minimum. An emergency lift was arranged at Saltern's Marina and once there the RIB was quickly hoisted out of the water. The lifeboat crew recovered their equipment and were released to return to Swanage. Swanage Lifeboat Station 30/09/11 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=649 The Swanage Inshore Lifeboat was called to recover the body of a dog that had fallen from the cliffs at Old Harry. Swanage Coastguard, who had been alerted to the accident earlier and were at the scene, were concerned about the safety of members of the public who were gathering at the top of the cliffs while the dog was still visible. The ILB quickly located the site of the accident and transported the unfortunate animal to Knoll Beach, where it was taken back to its owner. The ILB then returned to Swanage and was ready for further services at 1701hrs. Swanage Lifeboat Station 24/09/11 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=648 At 12:32 today Swanage's volunteer lifeboat crew were called to assist a small sailing dinghy that had capsized in Swanage Bay. A local fishing boat had seen the upturned hull and had gone over to investigate. He had recovered the sailor but was unable to tow the boat in. The Inshore Lifeboat was launched and was quickly alongside the two vessels. The sailor was taken aboard the lifeboat and other than a cut knee, that he got when the centreboard snapped as he tried to right the boat, he was fine. The dinghy was tied alongside the lifeboat and then towed back to the beach at Swanage Sailing Club. Once back on the beach the skipper was left with Swanage Coastguard and the lifeboat was released to return to station. Swanage Lifeboat Station 23/09/11 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=647 Swanage Lifeboat Crew were woken by their pagers at 05:00 this morning. Portland Coastguard requested the launch of the All Weather Lifeboat to go to the assistance of a 24' yacht 1Nm West of St Albans Head. The yacht had suffered engine failure, the skipper had anchored to try and fix the problem but was now unable to recover the anchor and was feeling unwell due to the petrol fumes and the rolling motion of the boat. The lifeboat launched 10 minutes after the crew were paged and was alongside the casualty vessel just under 40 minutes later. Crewman John Deas was put aboard, he had a chat with the skipper who was now starting to feel better. A towline was passed across but the yacht's anchor had to be cut away as it was stuck fast in the strong flood tide. Good progress was made back to Swanage and the yacht was secured to the lifeboat mooring. The skipper then planned to sort out his engine problems before heading for his berth in Christchurch. The lifeboat was rehoused, washed down, refuelled and the crew returned home for breakfast. Swanage Lifeboat Station 10/09/11 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=646 Swanage's Inshore Lifeboat was called into action this afternoon following a '999' call from 3 lads drifting out to sea in a broken down boat in Swanage Bay. The wind on scene was SW Force 5 and the boat was drifting quickly out to sea. The Lifeboat crew were paged and the Inshore Lifeboat was afloat 6 minutes later, arriving with the casualties 2 minutes after that. The three lads were taken aboard the lifeboat and taken back to the stone quay. The lads were a bit cold and wet but otherwise OK so they were handed over to Swanage Coastguard who gave them a few words of safety advice as they had no lifejackets, oars or flares. The lifeboat then returned to the broken down boat and towed it back to the quay. With everyone safely ashore the lifeboat was released to return to station. Swanage Lifeboat Station 05/09/11 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=645 After a very busy August the first shout of September was quick in coming. The All Weather Lifeboat was tasked to assist a 33' yacht that had put out a 'Pan Pan' call about 3Nm South West of Anvil Point. The yacht's engine had failed and the single handed skipper was requesting assistance. The lifeboat launched and was quickly on scene with the yacht. Crew members R. Aggas and A. Corben were put aboard and a towline passed across. The yacht was the taken in tow back to Swanage where it was secured to the lifeboat mooring. The lifeboat was then rehoused, refuelled and made ready for further service. Swanage Lifeboat Station 03/09/11 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=644 A busy Portland Coastguard asked for Swanage’s Mersey class Lifeboat to help a 28’ yacht with engine difficulties 2Nm south of Dancing Ledge. The yacht, with crew, had lost all engine power and there was no wind in the fading light. The Lifeboat contacted the yacht, ‘Die Fledermaus’, shortly after launching and received an updated position as the yacht was travelling fairly fast on the building tide. This new position put the yacht about 1.5Nm south of Anvil Point, so the Lifeboat was alongside a few minutes later. The yacht’s crew were happy to organise the tow, so were taken back to Swanage and secured to the lifeboat mooring, allowing the volunteer Lifeboat Crew to wash the Lifeboat down ready for further service at 2058hrs. Swanage Lifeboat Station 30/08/11