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Mudeford RNLI rescue a person in the water at 01.35am

Lifeboats News Release

Mudeford RNLI were tasked by HM Coastguard at 01.35am, early this morning (Sunday 8 August), to a report of a person missing in the water off Avon Beach.

Boat tracks for Mudeford RNLI rescue 8/8/21

RNLI/Claire Hellier

Boat tracks 8/8/21
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.Mudeford RNLI volunteer crew responded to the middle of the night page and mustered immediately at the lifeboat house. The Mudeford RNLI Atlantic 85 lifeboat Mudeford Servant arrived quickly on scene after they launched, and started a water based, shoreline search from Mudeford Quay to Steamer Point.

White rocket flares and search lights were used to illuminate the night sky, along with night vision equipment to aid visibility.

Mudeford RNLI shore crew, who’s role it is to assist in the launch and recovery of the lifeboat, were tasked to perform a land based, shoreline search. They worked alongside other emergency colleagues from Southbourne Coastguard
and the HM Coastguard helicopter 175.

Mudeford RNLI volunteer shore crew reported hearing a shout for help and were able to give an approximate position. The HM Coastguard helicopter 175 then used its onboard equipment to actually locate the person in the water and were able to ‘con the lifeboat onto the casualty’. This means provide specific direction to the Mudeford RNLI boat helm.

Having spent over an hour in the water, the person in the water was brought onboard the Mudeford Servant. As the lifeboat headed back to Mudeford RNLI lifeboat station, the casualty was assessed and monitored by the fully, casualty care trained, crew members. There was some concern the casualty may have taken in some water and an ambulance requested. Once back at Mudeford Quay the casualty was handed over to the care of South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Mudeford RNLI volunteer Helm Simon Barnett said 'This was a great example of coordination by all of the emergency services involved and the many hours of training by all the volunteers at Mudeford RNLI really paid off with a good result'.
Make sure you know how to float in case you or your loved ones get into danger when visiting the coast. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Leave rescues to the lifesavers.

Media Contacts:

Claire Hellier, Mudeford Lifeboat Press Officer (07795) 496660 [email protected]

Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Media Officer SE and London (07939) 228052 [email protected]

RNLI Mudeford boat tracks with casualty location 8/8/21

RNLI/Claire Hellier

Location casualty picked up 8/8/21
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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.

About the author

Claire Hellier
Lifeboat Press Officer, Mudeford Lifeboat Press Officer

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