Poole RNLI rescues six people and three dogs from motorboat

Crews from Poole Lifeboat Station were requested to launch by UK Coastguard just after 1.30pm on Sunday, September 18, to a 28ft motorboat taking on water.

The vessel had reportedly hit the Training Bank – a ridge of rocks that runs parallel with the Swash Channel, one of the channels that runs in and out of Poole Harbour.

The vessel was low in the water, limping back into the harbour when the lifeboat rendezvoused with the vessel inside the harbour, half a mile off Salterns.

The stricken motorboat approached by RNLI crews in Poole Harbour. Picture: Poole Lifeboat Station (Image: RNLI)

Four people and all three dogs were transferred off the stricken vessel and into the lifeboat. With the vessel not getting any lower in the water, a crew member was transferred across onto the stricken motorboat to check for an ingress.

Conditions in the harbour were clear but cloudy.

On-board the vessel, there was no obvious sign of an ingress and the motorboat continued onto Salterns Marina with the lifeboat alongside.

The Salterns Marina staff were on hand to immediately secure the vessel in the hoist to avoid it sinking any further.

With the vessel secure and the casualties ashore, the lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service by 3pm.