Swanage Lifeboat crew rescue “stricken” motor boat caught in ebbing tide

With its anchor rope caught around its propeller just off St Albans Head, a 28 foot angling boat had to call for help from the RNLI.

The incident happened around 2.30 pm on Saturday 26th June 2021 about three nautical miles off St Albans Head.

Advertisement 

The motor boat had become anchored to the sea bed with the stern of the boat pointing into the ebbing tide.

“Its position was getting increasingly dangerous”

Swanage Lifeboat Station reported:

“The force of the tide rushing past the boat was causing water to come on to the deck of the boat and with the speed of the tide increasing for the next few hours, its position was getting increasingly dangerous.

“The lifeboat launched and was soon alongside the stricken vessel.”

Swanage’s all weather lifeboat arrived to find that the vessel was now drifting west with the tide towards the tidal race at St Albans Head.

A lifeboat crew member was put aboard the boat and with the help of the skipper they were able to pull the anchor rope to the surface and cut it. The lifeboat then passed across its tow rope and started the slow process of towing the boat back to safety.

Swanage RNLI all weather lifeboat
Library image

The Swanage all weather lifeboat was launched at 2.35 pm on Saturday 26th June 2021

“Suddenly the remaining anchor rope came free”

Swanage Lifeboat Station added:

“Due to the strong north east winds forecast overnight it was decided to take the boat into Poole Harbour.

“After about two and a half hours of towing, just as the boats got to the Old Harry Rocks, suddenly the remaining anchor rope came free from the angling boat’s propeller.

“The skipper radioed the lifeboat to tell them and they agreed to drop the towline and check to see if the boat could now make its own way unaided.”

The lifeboat escorted the boat for a few minutes and once the skipper was happy, the lifeboat volunteer got back onto the lifeboat. The crew and lifeboat finally returned to Swanage Lifeboat Station at 6.10 pm.

Share this story

Contact us

Do you have anything to add to this story?

We like to keep everything up-to-date, so if you know more, please help us by getting in touch.

Advertisement 

Top stories

Child injured in dog attack at Swanage pub Police officers and the air ambulance were all called to help after a child was injured in an incident involving a dog in a pub garden in Swanage. 4 weeks ago Family win approval for controversial self build in Purbeck village 2 months ago Star Wars returns to Purbeck: The sequel! 1 month ago Historic Studland home goes on the market for £5 million 2 weeks ago Paddle steamer returns to Swanage after appeal keeps her afloat 2 weeks ago

Most recent

Swanage Pirate Festival welcomes record crowds to town Batten down the hatches - Swanage has been overrun by pirates again for a good natured festival, which has attracted hundreds of landlubbers into town. 13 hours ago Sun finally comes out for Swanage’s Big Help Out 2 days ago Bee friendly as swarming season suddenly arrives in Purbeck 3 days ago Second recent crash at Swanage church accident hotspot 3 days ago Green light given to request for 20mph limit in Langton Matravers 4 days ago