Swanage Lifeboat launches during Storm Francis to rescue mother and children

Following multiple 999 calls from people on Knoll Beach in Studland reporting that three people on paddleboards were being blown out to sea by strong offshore gales from Storm Francis, the Swanage All-weather Lifeboat (ALB) launched and headed towards Studland Bay.

Fortunately at the time of the incident at around 3.30 pm on Tuesday 25th August 2020, a training lifeboat 13-04 was in the area and it also went to search for the paddleboarders.

Advertisement 

With Swanage Coastguards on their way too, the Swanage Lifeboat headed further north east through the choppy sea. It was then that reports came in that the training lifeboat had picked up a woman and her two children from the sea and had rescued their two paddleboards as well.

Coastguard on beach as lifeboat rescues paddleboarders.
Swanage Coastguard

“The casualties were cold but otherwise unharmed”

Swanage Lifeboat Station said:

“The casualties were cold but otherwise unharmed and were taken on board the ALB for a trip back to Swanage, where they were met by the Swanage Coastguards.”

Swanage Coastguard reported:

“The mother and two children visiting the area had been on the water when the conditions blew them offshore sparking the rescue operation. All were picked up and brought back to the lifeboat station at Swanage.

“Always check the conditions inshore and offshore. Ask at the local visitors centres about the conditions and the safe areas to participate in activities.”

Swanage Lifeboat checking drifting fishing vessel
Swanage Lifeboat Station

Fishing vessel adrift with no crew on board

Meanwhile another call came into the Swanage Lifeboat Station reporting that a fishing vessel was adrift with no people on board, sparking fears for the safety of the crew amid the stormy waters. The All-weather lifeboat prepared to launch again into rough seas and gale force winds, at around 4.40 pm.

Swanage Lifeboat Station reported:

“The crew strapped into their seats anticipating a rough ride, plotted a route and headed around Peveril Point. The shock-absorbing seats on the ALB did their job well and a little over 30 minutes later the ALB arrived on the scene. Conditions were challenging, but several close passes by the small casualty boat indicated that it had broken from a mooring and drifted out to sea.”

Consideration was given to towing the vessel back to shore but with the weather too rough to do so safely, the decision was made to allow the boat to drift. It was later believed that the vessel had been blown all the way from Brest in France.

Poole Lifeboat crew were also out during Storm Francis attending to a number of boats that had broken free from their moorings in the rough weather. The dangerous state of the sea is clearly illustrated by the video posted by the Poole Lifeboat crew on social media.

Poole D-class searching for capsized dinghy in rough conditions

Poole D-class operating in challenging and wet conditions in yesterdays call out after reports of a capsized sailing dinghy. Full details in previous post.

Posted by RNLI Poole Lifeboat Station on Wednesday, August 26, 2020

“Conditions out there were lively”

Poole Lifeboat volunteer helm, Jonathan Clark said:

“Conditions out there were lively. We would advise all boat owners, when it’s safe to do so, to check their moorings, make sure that their mooring lines, ropes and chains are in good condition and of adequate size for your vessel.”

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

Storm Ciarán sweeps into Swanage brushing away its flood defences Concrete blocks along Swanage seafront to protect against flooding were strewn across the road by the force of Storm Ciarán, while Studland beaches had about five years of coastal erosion ... 1 month ago BBC snubs Purbeck by filming Enid Blyton stories in Cornwall 1 week ago Polar Express magic arrives in Swanage for Christmas 3 weeks ago Crisis at Swanage Railway as £450,000 survival fund is launched 1 month ago Restaurant with perfect view of Swanage Bay to open in 2024 2 weeks ago

Most recent

Business is blooming in Swanage town centre Bucking the national trend of empty shop units, Swanage in Dorset is seeing lots more new businesses opening up in the heart of the seaside town. 24 hours ago Inspiring Christmas trees at Swanage festival 2 days ago Enchanted evenings light up Purbeck secret garden 3 days ago Swanage seafront survey result gives council splitting headache 4 days ago Plans for growth at Swanage community garden 5 days ago