Yacht crew who woke up on Swanage Beach rescued by RNLI

In the early hours of the morning, Swanage Lifeboat Station got a call to help a yacht that had drifted ashore and run aground on Swanage Beach.

The yacht crew, who’d been sleeping on the vessel overnight, were woken as the hull hit the beach.

Advertisement 

Blown by a strong easterly wind, the yacht had also become entangled in the buoy line that marks out the designated swimming area in front of the RNLI lifeguard tower.

Swanage RNLI Lifeboat crew with the inshore lifeboat
Library image

The inshore lifeboat launching from Swanage Lifeboat Station

Leapt out of bed

At 6.32 am on Sunday 30th May 2021, the Swanage Lifeboat crew were paged to assist the stranded vessel and leapt out of bed.

The D-Class inshore lifeboat was launched a mere 12 minutes later and was soon alongside the yacht.

Swanage Lifeboat Station said:

“It turned out that the yacht had broken free from a mooring and drifted ashore with the easterly wind waking the people on board as they went aground. The yacht was also partly tangled in the buoy line that marks the designated bathing area so that had to be cleared first.

“Once that was done a towline was passed across and the yacht gently towed out into deeper water. The skipper then went below to check for damage and any signs of water ingress. The skipper reported back that all was well so the towline was released and the yacht set sail for Cowes.”

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

New BBC Winterwatch puts Purbeck back in TV spotlight In what is likely to be a final visit, BBC cameras will be returning to RSPB Arne in Dorset for the TV programme Winterwatch, to once again highlight the amazing ... 4 weeks ago Ten year transport plan puts Purbeck at top of wish list 3 weeks ago Purbeck pub Rivo’s Hub opens its doors as it revs up for 2025 1 month ago Swanage woman charged with shoplifting at the Co-op 1 week ago Swanage care home reopens after death of three residents 4 weeks ago

Most recent

Appeal to buy defibs in memory of Wareham boy Shaun Wareham parents Alison and Simon Colvin are raising funds for defibrillators in memory of their teenage son, whose life may have been saved if there had been one nearby 10 hours ago Tractor destroyed by night time fire in Swanage 22 hours ago Careys Secret Garden is best of the best at Dorset tourism awards 1 day ago The King of rock ‘n’ roll to crown Swanage’s Summer of Music 2 days ago Czech ambassador to the UK visits Swanage’s Chadwick statue 3 days ago