The volunteer lifeboat crew are one of the organisations that receive the King’s Coronation medal to recognise five or more complete years of public service. At Swanage Lifeboat Station, we are fortunate to have a number of longstanding volunteer lifeboat crew, and 34 medals were presented by our Lifeboat Operations Manager, Rob Pullman.
The lifeboats were tasked to seven rescues in September. The rescues included one of the closest rescues to our station we have had. A sailing boat had called for assistance early in the morning after having collided with the old pier in a freshening easterly breeze, damaging the vessel so that it was taking on water.
Both lifeboats launched to assist the boat that had managed to move a short distance from the old pier and put down its anchor. As the inshore lifeboat came alongside the boat in shallow water, it found that the boat was significantly damaged and was rapidly taking on water. The two casualties, a man and a woman, were taken aboard the lifeboat and taken ashore to the boathouse where they were met by our local Coastguard team. The yacht crew were both OK, but shaken by the incident.
It was quickly apparent that it was not possible to tow the boat to a location where it could be lifted from the water as the vessel was sinking and not safe.
The owners attempted to fix and re-float the boat at low water over the coming days with help from people in the local community, but they were not successful, and the boat was subsequently broken up by the swell when conditions worsened in later days. A stark reminder of the power of the sea and the importance of always checking the conditions before setting to sea, making sure your vessel is seaworthy and carrying a means of communication.
Top photo credit: Andy Redout
