With a 32 foot fishing vessel helpless and drifting after its propeller got tangled in lines, the Swanage Lifeboat was launched at lunchtime today to rescue the stricken boat. The lifeboat volunteers quickly reached the fishing vessel, that was nearly four nautical miles northeast of Old Harry Rocks.
The two crew onboard the fishing boat were happy to take a line and be towed back to the safety of Poole Harbour. It soon became apparent that the tangled line and fishing gear over the side of the vessel was making towing difficult, resulting in the short journey taking two and a half hours.
Meanwhile, with few boats out to sea due to the coronavirus travel restrictions, a passing pod of dolphins was delighted to be able to swim and play in the wake of the lifeboat and the fishing vessel.
This footage was filmed by one of the lifeboat crew, Andy Redout.
Once the two boats had eventually arrived at Poole Quay around 2.40pm, the fishing vessel was secured with the help from the Poole HM Coastguard volunteers.
With the fishing vessel now safely in harbour, the all-weather lifeboat was able to return to Swanage to be refuelled, ready for service.
