A man had to be rescued from Swanage Bay after falling from his boat shortly before it crashed onto rocks and burst into flames in Durlston Bay.
Swanage lifeboat launched to reports of a person overboard in the Durlston Bay area during the afternoon of Thursday 21st May 2026, but as the all-weather lifeboat launched, the crew heard that the casualty had already been rescued from the water by a passing boat.
The unmanned boat drifted onto the rocks in Durlston Bay and caught fire
Smoke from the boat fire could be seen right across Swanage
Taken to hospital for treatment
The unmanned boat continued drifting before striking rocks in Durlston Bay, where it caught fire, while the man who fell overboard was taken to Poole Hospital for treatment.
Investigations are now being carried out into how the incident happened, and the wreckage of the boat is expected to be cleared from the rocks over the bank holiday weekend.
After the incident, Swanage’s all weather lifeboat remained at the scene to confirm that no other people were involved, or in need of assistance.
HM Coastguard rescue teams from Swanage and St Albans, along with crews from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, also attended.
Fire crews were called back to the site in the evening as the wreck of the boat reignited
Called back after wreck reignited
Swanage’s inshore lifeboat was launched to stand by in case firefighters and equipment needed transporting to the scene.
Eventually, emergency services decided to keep the area clear and allow the blaze to burn itself out naturally to reduce the risk of pollution entering the sea.
Once crews confirmed there had only been one person onboard and the fire had begun to die down, both Swanage lifeboats were stood down.
But firefighters were called back to the bay during the evening after the wreck reignited at around 7.25pm.
Swanage lifeboats monitored the situation as the original fire died down
“Big thanks to Swanage coastguard”
A spokesperson for Swanage Fire Station said:
“During the evening we were asked to reinspect a boat that had caught fire earlier in the day in Durlston Bay, and on arrival we found the boat had reignited.
“We then had to carry firefighting equipment, which included a light portable pump, down a steep and rocky path to where the boat was located.
“The fire was extinguished fairly quickly and then we had the hard task of bringing all the equipment back up.
“A big, massive thanks to Swanage Coastguard who came back out to help us bring the equipment up the steep steps, it was much appreciated!”
The wreckage of the boat will be recovered over the weekend
Recovery plans put into place
Coastguard and fire crews continued monitoring the wreckage throughout the evening while recovery plans for the debris were put in place.
A spokesperson for the Coastguard said an investigation is now under way into how the incident happened.
A crew from Wareham Fire Station also attended the incident at Durlston Bay
Further information
- More about Swanage Lifeboat Station
- Swanage Fire Station is recruiting on call firefighters, more information on its Facebook page
