Four calls in 24 hours for Mudeford RNLI rescuers
STRICKEN RIBs and missing person searches made up four shouts Mudeford RNLI responded to in just over 24 hours.
The busy period for the volunteer rescuers began at 4.10pm last Wednesday, with a call-out to a RIB taking on water outside the entrance to Christchurch Harbour.
Launched just over 10 minutes later, the Mudeford Servant Atlantic 85 lifeboat reached the vessel by 4.30pm.
Once the two people on board were found to be well, the craft was secured alongside the lifeboat and taken into the harbour where it was safely brought ashore.
This was RNLI volunteer Liam Sexton’s first rescue as helm.
“The casualties did everything right, they stayed calm, raised the alarm, and had the correct safety equipment,” he said afterwards.
“This helped to ensure a successful recovery.”
Around 8.10pm that night there was a call to assist in the search for a missing person on Barton beach.
However, the crew was stood down within five minutes after the man was located by Dorset Police.
Then, around 2.45am the following morning, Mudeford RNLI was called to aid another shoreline search, this time for a missing woman along Hengistbury Head.
Again, Dorset Police found the person, and the rescuers were stood down 10 minutes later.
Finally, there was a shout around 4.50pm to assist a broken down RIB a third of a mile outside Christchurch Harbour’s entrance.
Arriving on scene shortly after 5pm, the crew confirmed all four people on board, including two children, were safe and well.
Like the previous day’s rescue, the RIB was secured alongside the lifeboat and brought back to the harbour.
RNLI launch authority Andy Hack said: “This was a busy 24 hours for the RNLI Mudeford crew.
“We are pleased that all casualties were found safe and well.
“The RNLI Mudeford Lifeboat Station is always ready to come to the aid of people in difficulty on or near the water, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”