SWANAGE lifeboat was launched after another lifeboat suffered a major leak.
The all-weather lifeboat was launched on Wednesday afternoon to assist an RNLI boat south of Kimmeridge.
The boat was on passage to Salcombe when it suffered a major leak from one of the pipes that feeds sea water to one of the engines.
The pumps on the lifeboat were coping with the water but the Swanage crew was tasked to standby in case additional assistance was required.
Swanage lifeboat launched shortly after 1pm and met up with the other boat around 20 minutes later, south of St Albans Head.
The crew on the other lifeboat had managed to reduce the water level in the engine room and find and fix the faulty pipe and were heading towards Poole while pumping the remaining water out.
The Swanage crew stood by, ready to offer assistance if required.
Once over Peveril Ledge, in calmer water, the boat heading to Salcombe was able to increase speed as it attempted to get to the lifting bridge in time for the 2.30pm lift.
Once safely in Poole Harbour, the Swanage crew was released to return home.
The other boat was tied up alongside RNLI HQ in Poole so engineers could investigate the problem.
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