http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/latest The latest launch info from Swanage Lifeboats en-us Swanage Lifeboat Station 17/05/2012 21:18:20 20 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=665 Swanage's All Weather Lifeboat was called out today to assist a 9m yacht that had an ingress of water that the onboard pumps were unable to cope with. The yacht was only 0.5Nm East of Durlston Head so the Lifeboat was quickly on scene. The yacht was making good headway and the water level wasn't too high so they were escorted to the RNLI mooring in Swanage. With the yacht secured to the mooring two crew were put aboard along with a small electric pump. The pump was rigged and after 15 minutes or so the water level seemed to be going down. The pump was stopped and a small amount of water was seen to be coming from the bow area of the yacht. The leak wasn't bad enough to cause any problems so it was decided to escort the yacht towards Poole Harbour and monitor the leak. The two lifeboat crew stayed onboard and kept the pumps running. Once safely inside Poole Harbour the lifeboat crew were taken off the yacht and the yacht's crew carried on to Poole Quay so they could wait for the tide to be right for them to get to Ridge Wharf in Wareham River where they were going to be lifted out of the water. The lifeboat was then free to return to Swanage. Swanage Lifeboat Station 15/05/12 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=664 Both Swanage Lifeboats were requested to help when a man ferrying crew from Studland Beach to a moored yacht in Studland Bay became overdue in poor conditions late on Wednesday night. Both boats were quickly on the scene of the unfolding incident, along with Swanage Coastguard. The faster Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) was tasked to search the waters inshore from the moored yacht to the entrance to Poole Harbour. The All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) was tasked with calculating the potential position of an object matching the given description and carrying out search patterns at the resutant location, further north towards Bournemouth pier. Coastguard helicopter ‘Rescue 104’ was also requested, along with Poole Coastguards. In condtions far from ideal for searching, ‘Rescue 104’ reporting the position of a small inflatable boat found in the target area and both Lifeboats were re-focussed onto search patterns centered on the new position. Shortly afterwards ‘Rescue 104’ was able to report the position of a casualty in the water, who was recovered from the sea by the ILB and passed to the ALB where first aid was given. The casualty was airlifted directly to Poole where he was pronounced dead. The Lifeboats then provided the moored yacht’s skipper two crewmen to help the inexperienced crew take the boat to Poole, where it was secured at Poole Quay. Both boats were then able to return to station as daylight grew. Our thoughts are with the casualty’s family and the yacht’s crew at this time. Swanage Lifeboat Station 10/05/12 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=663 When Portland Coastguard were told Swanage Lifeboats would be exercising on Wednesday evening, they asked if a lookout could be kept for a wrecked 9m yacht, previously the subject of a rescue by Weymouth Lifeboat and CG Helicopter. It had been seen a few miles south of Dancing Ledge earlier in the day. Sensing the opportunity for a realistic exercise, the All-Weather Lifeboat plotted a search area from the last known position and headed off to find the yacht. With the sun going down and nothing found, the ALB was about head back when reports came in that two nearby passing yachts had seen the wreck, one yacht was standing by. A few minutes later the ALB was alongside the awash vessel some 5nm south of Dancing Ledge. A significant hazard to passing traffic (one boat had already hit it and been damaged 24 hours earlier), it was decided to attempt to tow the boat to a safe position. Crewman Ollie Clark used the ALB’s inflatable X-Boat to get close to the wreck and attach a towline, then the vessel was towed slowly to Durlston Bay. Meanwhile, the Inshore Lifeboat, some shore crew and Swanage Coastguard had been tasked with finding a suitable beaching point in Durlston Bay and arranging ropework for securing the wreck. With some neat boathandling by both helmsmen, in very shallow water and at the limit of the available ropes, lines were passed between boats and the wreck was dragged very close inshore. The wreck was secured and all personnel returned to station, some 5 hours after beginning the search. Swanage Lifeboat Station 11/04/12 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=662 Portland Coastguard requested the launch of Swanage's All Weather Lifeboat to go to the assistance of a 43' motor boat that had got into difficulties in the overfalls at St Albans Head. The boat had broached violently on a big wave and the crew onboard were concerned for their safety. The lifeboat launched and met up with the boat 20 minutes later. It was decided to escort the boat into calmer water and head towards Poole Harbour. About 30 minutes or so later the lifeboat and the casualty vessel were approaching Old Harry Rocks and the sea had calmed down considerably. The skipper of the casulaty vessel thanked the lifeboat crew and confirmed that he was now happy to continue on to Poole. The lifeboat returned to station and was back on the slipway just over an hour after launching. Swanage Lifeboat Station 09/04/12 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=661 Swanage's Inshore Lifeboat was tasked today to assist Coastguards in the search for a missing person in the Studland area. The lifeboat was asked to start searching from the northern end of Swanage beach round to Studland then right along the beach towards Poole Harbour. The lifeboat launched and started searching as requested. However, as they rounded Old Harry Rocks a message came over the radio to say that Swanage Coastguard had located the missing person safe and well. All units were stood down and released to return to station. Swanage Lifeboat Station 01/04/12 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=660 Portland Coastguard requested the launch of both Swanage Lifeboats to assist 2 people reported as being cut off by the tide 2Nm East of Kimmeridge. The casualties had been in the water and required evacuation. Portland Coastguard were in contact with the casualties via mobile phone and were able to determine that they had been in the water for approximately 3 hours so the Coastguard helicopter from Portland was also tasked to attend. With all Search and Rescue units now on scene both Swanage Lifeboats stood by and acted as safety cover during the winching operations. The helicopter airlifted the casualties and returned them to the car park at Kimmeridge bay. At 1946hrs both Lifeboats were released and returned to station. Swanage Lifeboat Station 10/03/12 http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/home/launch.asp?ID=659 The volunteer crew at Swanage were called to the lifeboat station today when Portland Coastguard requested the launch of the Inshore Lifeboat to assist a 12' sailing dinghy with 2 persons on board that was being swept across Peveril Ledge by the ebb tide. However in the short time it took the crew to get to the station the dinghy had been taken in tow by a passing motorboat. The motor boat towed the boat back in to Swanage Bay and let them go near the end of the pier. The 2 people were then able to sail back to the Sailing Club beach. A couple of the lifeboat crew walked round to the beach to make sure that the 2 people were OK before returning back to work. Swanage Lifeboat Station 06/03/12 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