Teenagers in dinghy rescued after losing paddle overboard
AN RNLI crew had to rescue two teenagers who took a dinghy out from Hengistbury Head before losing their paddle overboard about a quarter-mile from the shore.
The alarm was raised around 8.20pm last Friday, with reports the vessel was caught in the tide which was starting to sweep them further out towards Swanage.
Helped by clear conditions, with a north-westerly wind, the crew quickly located the pair, a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old, neither of whom were wearing lifejackets.
Both of the casualties were suffering from the cold and, once brought on board the lifeboat, were wrapped in a thermal layer to keep them warm.
Having recovered, the youths and the dinghy were taken back to the RNLI station where they were met by a Southbourne Coastguard rescue team, Dorset Police and paramedics.
The incident prompted Mudeford RNLI to remind people not to go out into the water while government restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus remained in place.
“The RNLI crew follow strict procedures during Covid-19,” a spokesperson said.
“Not only do the crew put themselves in danger to assist others, once the shout is completed they spend hours thoroughly disinfecting the lifeboat, lifeboat station and all casualty equipment.
“This ensures the equipment and environment are safe and ready for the next crew and any possible casualties.
“The crew and volunteers at RNLI Mudeford ask that you please follow the government’s advice and stay out of the water at this time.”
The crew had also sprung into action around 9.45pm the previous night, when they joined a Lymington Coastguard team responding to a 999 call from a concerned member of the public. This involved debris including a light, which was seen in the water near a groyne off Highcliffe beach.
Due to a moderate sea state with a dumping surf, the lifeboat could not get any closer than 200 metres from the shore.
In clear but dark visibility its crew carried out a torch-lit search of the area, while the coastguard team combed the land and shore before confirming the debris was not maritime-related.
Both of the rescue teams widened their search to a quarter-mile and then a half-mile radius before being stood down.
CAPTION: The lifeboat crew rescue the ill-equipped youngsters from the dinghy (Photo: Mudeford RNLI)