The crew of a boat anchored in Swanage Bay at night called the UK Coastguard after they spotted a person swimming in the sea and were concerned about them.
Just after midnight on Sunday 1st August 2021, the coastguard then contacted Swanage Lifeboat Station to check out the situation and help if necessary.
“Helped back to shore”
Swanage’s inshore lifeboat (ILB) was tasked to investigate. The lifeboat station reported:
“The volunteer crew launched the boat and the swimmer was quickly located and helped back to shore, where Swanage Coastguard volunteers had arrived to assist as well.
“With the situation resolved the ILB was able to return to station for a quick wash down before the crew returned to their homes.”
The Swanage inshore lifeboat returning to its lifeboat station after the second callout to paddleboarders on Thursday
One of several rescues over the last few days
This was one of several rescues by Swanage Lifeboat Station over the last few days.
On Thursday 26th July 2021 the crew went to the aid of a paddleboarder that had been blown out to sea from Studland’s South Beach.
Both the ILB and the all weather lifeboat (ALB) were launched just after 2.30 pm but found it hard to locate the man in distress.
Fortunately the paddleboarder had a mobile phone on him and was able to communicate with the crew.
“Fired a white flare”
Swanage Lifeboat Station said:
“At first the paddle-boarder reported that the lifeboat was heading towards him, but a little later reported the boat was now heading away. Neither lifeboats had seen anything at this point.
“The ALB then fired a white flare, asking the casualty to describe the flare’s position in relation to Old Harry. This information, along with some photographs taken by the casualty, narrowed down the location a little and the ILB headed down-wind.
“Roughly 30 minutes after launching the ILB spotted the paddleboarder and transferred him to the warmth of the ALB for a quick checkover.”
The Swanage all weather lifeboat returning to the lifeboat station, viewed from Prince Albert Gardens in Swanage where the singer Aled Jones was completing a soundcheck for a recording of BBC’s Songs of Praise
Three people including a child
However the day was not over for the crew because as they headed back to Swanage another call came in at 3.43 pm to go to the help of some more paddleboarders.
This time it was three people including a child that were reported to have drifted off shore from Studland’s north beach.
Fortunately this time, the paddleboarders made it safely back to shore themselves and the two lifeboats were able to return to Swanage Lifeboat Station.
