Did you see Poole RNLI launch to search for two missing paddleboarders in this week’s episode? Here’s Sam and Ollie from the RNLI’s Water Safety Team, to show you what to pack if you go head out paddleboarding. 

Swanage and Poole: Teamwork in challenging conditions

The episode began with the crews at Poole and Swanage RNLI launching to someone onboard a yacht who’d injured their head and was drifting in and out of consciousness. 

Battling 2-3m waves and force 6 winds, the crew at Poole RNLI reached the yacht. They put a crew member aboard, armed with oxygen and a first aid kit to help treat the injured sailor. Soon after, Swanage RNLI arrived, sending over two crew members and a paramedic who had been lowered onto the deck of Swanage’s lifeboat by rescue helicopter. 

Poole RNLI then escorted the yacht into quieter, sheltered, waters, and the sailor was transferred to Swanage’s Shannon class lifeboat, along with the paramedic and crew. They brought the injured sailor ashore, where an ambulance was waiting. 

Whitby: Caught out by the tide

Next, we saw the crew at Whitby power to the rescue of two fossil hunters who’d been trapped by the incoming tide. The volunteers quickly spotted the pair, who had initially been found by the Coastguard.

With the tide fast approaching, the quickest option was to take the walkers onboard the lifeboat and return them to the harbour. But, as the weather conditions worsened, the lifeboat crew and Coastguard had to reassess the situation. They decided the safest option would be for the Coastguard team to winch the pair up the cliff. 

RNLI Crew Member Matt Sharpe says: 'It was a challenging shout but it reminded me how incredible our equipment is at helping to keep us safe alongside the in-depth training we receive.'

Poole: Missing paddleboarders

We saw Poole RNLI search for two missing paddleboarders. The Coastguard had received several 999 calls reporting that the paddleboarders were off their boards and clinging to a buoy near the harbour. 

When Poole’s B class lifeboat reached the buoy, they found the empty boards tied there – but no sign of the paddleboarders. Light was fading and there was a strong tide, so they quickly requested the D class lifeboat join the search, alongside a search and rescue helicopter and the Poole Coastguard Rescue Team. 

To everyone’s relief, news soon came in that the paddleboarders had been found safe and ashore. 

Volunteer Helm Dave Riley says: ‘The members of the public that dialled 999 did exactly the right thing as it could have been a different story, with the darkness approaching and roaring tide, so thank you to them for their vigilance.’

Newhaven: An injured kayaker

Over in Newhaven, the volunteer crew were called out to an injured kayaker. They could see a fishing rod was somehow stuck to his hand and he was in a lot of pain. 

With the kayaker forced to hold the rod in an awkward position, the crew decided it would be best if he cut the fishing rod to a more manageable length. The crew then pulled the kayaker aboard their lifeboat, where he was brought ashore and taken to hospital.