Lymington RNLI lifeboat crew involved in large-scale search for missing paddleboarders between Studland and Swanage

LIFEBOAT crews from Lymington and Mudeford were among multiple emergency crews involved in a major sea and air search for two missing paddleboarders.

The alarm was raised around 9.20pm yesterday (Monday), with reports the pair, believed to be father and son, disappeared while making their way around Old Harry from Studland to Swanage that afternoon.

Lymington RNLI joined the search after a paddleboard was found near Southbourne.

Their Mudeford counterparts were already involved, along with crews from Poole, Swanage and Yarmouth.

There was also coastguard teams from Lymington, Poole and Southbourne, together with two rescue helicopters.

Police were also involved in the search, with multiple units joined by police RIB Buccanner and a National Police Air Service helicopter.

Yarmouth lifeboat found the father four miles east of Old Harry, and it was reported that he had lost sight of his son about two hours earlier.

Lymington RNLI swept the shoreline from Hurst Spit West towards Mudeford in fair weather, but with a 1.5m swell in the bay. This made conditions challenging to find a person in the water.

A paddleboard matching the description was then spotted on the beach off Hengistbury Head, near Christchurch.

All crews continued searching until news came through that police found the missing son on the beach near Bournemouth Pier. All crews were stood down shortly before 11pm.

Lymington RNLI helm Simon Nuding said afterwards: “The two paddleboarders were very lucky and it was great to see all of the lifeboats and other agencies work together.”

On Saturday, Lymington RNLI responded to several incidents while proving safety cover for the annual Round the Island yacht race from 8am.

These incidents, reported as the crew positioned themselves off Yarmouth and then tracked west towards the Needles with the fleet, were quickly resolved.

While returning to Lymington, the lifeboat was called to escort a 1950 classic yacht into port after its mast broke.

Two crew members boarded and secured loose sails and rigging before shore crew helped the yacht get alongside safely.