On Mothering Sunday, the volunteers from Swanage Lifeboat Station went to help the crew of a motor cruiser that had broken down 30 miles offshore in the shipping lane.
The all weather lifeboat launched at 11.15 am on Sunday 19th March 2023 and was able to arrive alongside the stricken vessel just under an hour later.
The motor cruiser being towed into Poole Harbour by the Swanage all weather lifeboat
“Not possible to fix the issue at sea”
With no hope of repairing the boat’s engine, the decision was made to tow the motor cruiser to the safety of Poole Harbour.
Swanage Lifeboat Station reported:
“The crew onboard the vessel were well prepared but it was not possible to fix the issue at sea.
“The vessels made slow progress in a rolling swell and part way through the journey, one of the crew on the casualty vessel became unwell suffering from the cold and seasickness.
“With concern that the casualty’s condition was worsening, it was decided to bring the casualty ashore.”
Poole Coastguard met the motor cruiser as it arrived in Poole Harbour towed by the Swanage lifeboat
Seasick sailor
Seeking the quickest way to get the seasick sailor to shore, the Swanage inshore lifeboat launched, met up with the all weather lifeboat and the unwell crew member was transferred into the smaller lifeboat.
It then headed back to Swanage and was able to hand the person over to the South Western Ambulance Service to be assessed, assisted by the Swanage Coastguard team.
Meanwhile, the all-weather lifeboat continued to tow the motor cruiser towards Poole, bringing it into the harbour and then safely securing it, helped by the Poole Coastguard team.
While many were tucking into a Sunday roast, the Swanage crew had to make do with pizza!
Poole Harbour pizza delivery
The lifeboat crew had been at sea for just over seven hours and with the rescue completed, they were hungry and needed something to eat.
Having missed Sunday lunch, they were delighted to get some pizzas delivered to the dockside in Poole, before they returned home to Swanage.
