Volunteer rescue teams from the RNLI Poole Lifeboat Station responded to an emergency call on Sunday, November 8, after both engines of a 24-foot yacht failed, leaving a man and his dog stranded near the River Frome in Dorset. The incident occurred shortly after the lifeboat crew had participated in a Remembrance parade, honouring those who lost their lives in military service.
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The emergency call came in at approximately 1 p.m., prompting swift action from the volunteer crews who had just left the Remembrance ceremony at Poole Park. As they prepared for their rescue mission, they were still clad in their RNLI sweaters and shirts, attired in their formal wear celebrating local heroes.
Upon receiving the distress signal, the lifeboat station dispatched both of its rescue boats. With both the main and auxiliary engines of the yacht non-operational, the situation was urgent as the waters were receding and visibility was diminishing.
Arriving at the yacht’s location, the volunteers discovered that it had become lodged outside the navigational channel due to the dropping tide. The crew quickly launched the smaller D-class inshore lifeboat, allowing one of the volunteers to board the stranded vessel to evaluate the situation.
The lifeboat crew member confirmed that with both engines incapacitated, the lone sailor aboard was unable to move the yacht. Faced with deteriorating conditions and the grounding of the vessel, the crew decided it was safer to evacuate both the man and his dog rather than attempt to sail the yacht back to safety.
After securing the yacht’s anchor, the rescue team assisted the man and his dog aboard the D-class lifeboat. They were then transferred to the larger Atlantic 85 lifeboat for the voyage back to the shore.
Both lifeboats successfully returned to the Poole Lifeboat Station, where the relieved man was reunited with family members who had gathered to meet him. Further details, such as the identities of the man and his dog, or how long they had been stranded, were not disclosed by the RNLI station, but they confirmed that there were no injuries reported.
This rescue operation marked the 118th and 119th launches for the RNLI Poole Lifeboat Station in 2023, highlighting the ongoing commitment and readiness of the volunteer crews to assist those in distress at sea.
In their social media update, the lifeboat station reiterated their responsibility to ensure the safety of those on the water, noting how unexpected events can arise even following community-focussed celebrations like Remembrance Sunday. The volunteers’ dedication to service continues to play a crucial role in maritime safety in the region.
As the lifeboat crews returned, they reflected on how their day had taken an unexpected turn, reminding them of their essential role within the community and their ongoing duty to protect lives at sea.
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