SWANAGE lifeboat station was called to an emergency rescue involving an injured casualty that was stuck on a yacht at sea in the early hours of this morning.

At around 1am, the crew were called out to a yacht that had reportedly run out of fuel and there wasn’t enough wind to sail.

A member of the crew on the yacht had also reportedly suffered a head injury.

Volunteers from the lifeboat station acted swiftly to save the casualty.

A spokesperson for Swanage Lifeboat Association explained the incident: “Swanage lifeboat was launched in the early hours of Monday morning after a call from a yacht reported that a crew member had suffered a head injury, and the yacht was out of fuel and there was insufficient wind to sail.

“The volunteer crew assembled at the lifeboat station and a crew was selected, including two casualty care trained crew.

“UK Coastguard passed the last reported position of the yacht and good speed was made in flat seas to the casualty vessel.

“The lifeboat came alongside the casualty yacht around 30 minutes after launching and the trained casualty carers were transferred across to the yacht assess the situation.

“After the assessment had been carried out a decision was made to evacuate the casualty onboard the lifeboat.

“Two crew members remained on board the yacht with the uninjured crew.

“Spare fuel was also passed across to the yacht before the lifeboat left the scene to make the best speed back to Swanage to meet up with Coastguards and Paramedics.

“The lifeboat reached Swanage Pier at 2.35am and handed over the casualty, then took the opportunity to pick up an extra crew member before heading back out to sea for a further rendezvous with the yacht.

“The lifeboat crew on board the casualty yacht had re-started the engine, however, a strong tide was running and the yacht was barely able to make any headway, so, as the lifeboat closed the yacht's position for the second time, it was decided that towing it back to Swanage was the most prudent course of action.

“The tow was established and steady progress was being made back towards Swanage Bay when the lifeboat was informed that Paramedics had taken the casualty to Poole for monitoring.

“The towing destination was then changed to Poole Quay so that the two crew were both in the vicinity of the yacht and it was easily accessible.

“At about 5.45am the yacht was made safe in Poole Quay Boathaven with the help of Poole volunteer coastguards.”