Four people had a lucky escape off Old Harry near Swanage, Dorset, when their two jet skis collided, but were safely rescued by a local watersports company and Swanage RNLI.
Both Swanage lifeboats and the Swanage coastguard team responded to the incident which happened at around 5 pm on Sunday 9th August 2026.
The rocks at Old Harry
Damaged jet skis were sinking
The Swanage Lifeboat Week duck race had only just finished when the crew’s pagers rang out and they launched the all weather lifeboat and the smaller D Class inshore lifeboat.
The two damaged jet skis were believed to be sinking near Old Harry and there was concern for the people who had been on them.
A motorboat also got into difficulty when it went to help the people on the jet skis but subsequently broke down and was left drifting dangerously close to the rocks.
When the lifeboat crew arrived, they discovered a local watersports boat had already taken the motorboat and jet skis in tow and was motoring slowly towards Swanage from the Old Harry area.
The collision had seriously damaged the jet ski
The other jet ski had also been holed
“Thankfully nobody was injured”
Swanage Lifeboat Station reported:
“The lifeboat went alongside to find out the situation and see what assistance was required.
“Thankfully nobody was injured but they were getting cold and were shaken from the experience. They were taken aboard the all weather lifeboat and their motor boat taken in tow back to Swanage.
“The inshore lifeboat stayed with the jet skis which although were both holed and partially submerged their internal buoyancy was keeping them afloat which meant they could be towed safely.
“Tow lines were rigged and the inshore lifeboat headed for Swanage too.”
The four rescued people were brought safely back to shore at the Swanage boatpark and handed them over to the volunteers from the Swanage coastguard.
Swanage coastguard added:
“A fortunate outcome to what could have been a very serious incident. Stay safe out on the water.”
The coastguard helicopter lands on the beach at Durdle Door
Person seriously injured after fall at Durdle Door
Earlier on Sunday 9th August 2026, Kimmeridge and Lulworth coastguard teams were called out when a person fell down the steps at Durdle Door.
Kimmeridge coastguard reported:
“The casualty’s injuries were serious and as their condition began to deteriorate, it was decided that a helicopter extraction was required.”
Crowds watch as the helicopter lifts the injured person up to the waiting ambulance at the top of the cliff
“We wish the casualty a speedy recovery”
With the coastguard rescue helicopter 375 from Lee-on-Solent on its way, St Albans Head coastguard arrived to help clear the beach so the helicopter could land.
Kimmeridge coastguard added:
“We would like to thank members of the public for their cooperation and patience while we carried out the operation.
“With Rescue 375 safely landed on the beach, the casualty was carefully transported to the helicopter before being flown to the top of the car park, where they were transferred to a land ambulance for onward transport to hospital.
“A big thank you to everyone involved in the response. We wish the casualty a speedy recovery.”
Further information
- Follow on Facebook, Swanage Lifeboat Station, Swanage coastguard, St Albans Head coastguard, and Kimmeridge coastguard
