A tanker heading west at the northern edge of the shipping lanes, around 24nm south of Swanage, alerted the UK Coastguard to what appeared to be a working boat drifting free with no one in control. Concerned that there may be lives in danger, the UK Coastguard requested the launch of the Swanage Shannon class lifeboat and also tasked Coastguard Rescue Helicopter ‘R-175’ to the scene.

In moderate to rough seas the lifeboat made good speed towards the reported position. Helicopter ‘R-175’ arrived a little before the lifeboat and reported what looked like broken mooring lines and a locked wheelhouse. ‘R-175’ also reported that it was too risky to lower a person onto the boat for further investigation.

The lifeboat crew, now on scene too, considered the possibility of towing the vessel but dismissed it as too dangerous given that there was no danger to life. Thought was also given to how the drifting boat could be illuminated or marked as a navigation hazard, but benefits did not out-weigh risks and the UK Coastguard were happy to release the helicopter and lifeboat after an updated position and drift vector was obtained. The passage back to Swanage was made in about an hour and the boat re-housed and re-fuelled at 1355