RNLI warning after 'challenging' day of rescues

Mudeford RNLI had more than half a dozen incidents over the weekend

A Dorset lifeboat team has warned people to wear appropriate life jackets or buoyancy aids after making 10 rescues in one afternoon.

On Saturday the Mudeford Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteer crew helped people who had got into difficulty in choppy water.

They included a missing nine-year old girl, a missing 15-year-old boy, three paddleboarders, two female swimmers, two teenagers on a paddleboard, as well as a windsurfer.

Launch authority Simon Challis said it was "a busy time of year on our shores".

He said the crew worked with colleagues from RNLI Poole and RNLI Swanage, the lifeguards, HM Coastguard and Dorset Police.

Mr Challis also confirmed that all of the casualties were recovered unharmed.

"This was a challenging afternoon for the local RNLI stations and emergency services with several potentially serious incidents taking place simultaneously," he said.

"We would advise anyone going in or near the water to always find out about the local weather and tide conditions.

"Offshore winds, can easily blow paddleboarders, windsurfers and swimmers out to sea.

"Whatever your activity on the water always wear an appropriate life jacket or buoyancy aid."

The Mudeford RNLI Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Henrietta H, has launched 55 times this year so far, and the crew launched 82 times in 2024.