Volunteers from Weymouth lifeboat responded to a distress call for a boat in trouble south of Portland Bill. The Weymouth Severn-class lifeboat, Ernest and Mabel, was launched and located the vessel along Chesil. Upon reaching the boat, the crew ensured everyone was safe before towing the boat to West Bay.
The callout came in at 5.35pm on Thursday, May 30, prompting a swift response from the Weymouth Lifeboat Station. A spokesperson for the station emphasized the importance of safety measures for sailors, reminding them to always wear lifejackets, have means of calling for help, and be prepared with an emergency action plan and proper training.
After a long evening at sea, the crew returned to the station at 9.15pm to prepare the lifeboat for future missions. The station’s spokesperson also advised boaters to check weather and tide conditions, inform someone ashore of their plans, and operate their boat at a safe speed according to the environment. These precautions can help prevent incidents like the one experienced by the boat crew off Portland Bill.
