Following reports of a kayaker in difficulty in Swanage Bay, both lifeboats from Swanage Lifeboat Station launched for the first time this year.
Around midday on Saturday 8th January 2022, a member of the public had reported their concerns to the UK Coastguard.
The inshore lifeboat and the larger all weather lifeboat prepare to launch
Wet and windy weather conditions
The UK Coastguard, in turn, sent the Swanage RNLI and Swanage Coastguard volunteers to the scene to look for a yellow kayak or canoe.
In wet and windy weather conditions, the coastguard searched the shoreline from Peveril Point to Sheps Hollow, checking with those on the beach, while both lifeboats conducted a search of the bay.
The all weather lifeboat searching Swanage Bay
“Likely to have been a mooring buoy“
Swanage Lifeboat Station reported:
“After an extensive search of the area and with nothing found it was concluded that what the member of the public saw was likely to have been a mooring buoy.
“We would always encourage people to report their concerns to the Coastguard on ‘999’ even if it turns out to be a false alarm.”
The all weather lifeboat returning to the Swanage Lifeboat Station
