Donate now

RNLI Mudeford launches to save a unicorn! 🦄

Lifeboats News Release

HM Coastguard were called this morning by concerned members of the public who saw an inflatable Unicorn drifting off to sea across the bay from Southbourne towards Boscombe.

It was unknown if people were onboard, so HM Coastguard tasked RNLI Mudeford.
 
The RNLI Mudeford Servant Atlantic 85 lifeboat launched at 10.14am, and followed HM Coastguards request to ‘sweep 2 cables off shore heading west’. A cable is one tenth of a nautical mile. The RNLI Mudeford volunteer crew thought they could see the unicorn 1.5 miles away and headed in the westerly direction searching for any persons in the water whilst en route. The unicorn was picked up just east of Boscombe Pier. RNLI Mudeford then swept closer inshore on the way back towards Southbourne to double check there were no persons in the water requiring assistance. Once it was ascertained that nobody was in trouble in the water RNLI Mudeford crew headed back to the lifeboat station at 10.48am
 
The weather was beautiful, with clear visibility. There was approx. a force 2 wind and slight seas at the time of the shout this morning. It was a great opportunity for our trainee helm Mel, to act as helm with the support of a more senior helm onboard. Mel is RNLI Mudeford’s first female helm 👏.
 
Please protect your family at the beach and click this link for advice from the RNLI
 
If you find yourself or anyone else in trouble in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
 

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

Categories