IT WAS a busy day for Poole’s RNLI volunteers after the crew were scrambled twice during their annual open day.

Hundreds of people flocked to the quay on Sunday to find out more about the charity and enjoy the activities and entertainment on offer.

As well as seeing rescue demonstrations, visitors also got to witness a real-life “shout” when the crew was called into action.

The inshore lifeboat was launched at 1.30pm after a man and a child got into difficulty in an inflatable boat near Studland Bay.

When the lifeboat arrived on scene the casualties had already been taken ashore, where they were assessed by the lifeboat crew and later handed over to the care of paramedics.

The lifeboat returned to the station at around 2.15pm and the volunteers continued the open day celebrations.

As the team were tidying up, the station’s all-weather lifeboat was scrambled to assist a 37ft yacht with two people on-board.

The vessel, which was on passage from Holland, got into difficulty after its engine broke down 10 miles south west of St Alban’s head. The lifeboat escorted the vessel to calmer waters and towed it into Poole.

Coxswain Jonathan Clark said: “What a long day for us, it was very lumpy out there, with some big seas and an eerie moon but it was good to get the vessel safely home.”

Mr Clark said the open day was a huge success and thanked everyone who supported the event.

He said: “What a fantastic response from the hundreds of people that visited and supported us and the volunteers that turned up to help man the stall. It was hard work but a most enjoyable day, we promoted the work that we do, met lots of people and hopefully raised a little money towards helping us to save lives at sea.”