A surprising casualty of the recent storms was rescued by Swanage lifeboat crew after the National Coastwatch Institution team at Peveril Point spotted an object on the shoreline of Durlston Bay in Dorset.
The Swanage D class inshore lifeboat launched just after 3.30 pm on Saturday 31st January 2026 and headed round to Durlston Bay.
The inshore lifeboat crew launches the D Class from Swanage Lifeboat Station
“Object was easily located”
Also responding to the call was the Swanage coastguard team who made their way down to the bay on foot.
Swanage Lifeboat Station reported:
“The object, on the shoreline, could not be clearly identified but was potentially a casualty, so the coastguard tasked Swanage D class inshore lifeboat to investigate. The volunteers at Swanage coastguard were also alerted and made their way to Durlston Bay.
“The inshore lifeboat was quickly over Peveril Ledges and into the calmer waters of Durlston Bay. The object was easily located and identified as a mannequin designed to be used as a search target.”
The object turned out to be a rescue mannequin used for training
“Our unexpected ‘casualty’”
It was found near to the Zig Zag path, where it had been pulled clear of the water by a local fisherman.
Rescue mannequins or dummies are used for training purposes and it’s believed it must have swept off a boat during the recent rough weather.
Swanage coastguard reported:
“With help from the inshore lifeboat crew, our unexpected ‘casualty’ was recovered and returned to the boathouse.
“A final sweep of the bay was carried out to make sure nothing else remained following the recent storms.”
