Friday 30th March - report of a boat on fire

Both of the Poole RNLI lifeboats were launched early this morning to a report of a ketch on fire at the back of the harbour.

When the Inshore Lifeboat arrived on scene they found a 40ft ketch with two people onboard, just off the Wytch Channel.

There was smoke billowing from the vessel, Volunteer senior helmsman Paul Singleton said “ when we arrived on scene there was a lot of thick smoke which smelt awful”

A couple of the volunteer crew immediately jumped aboard to investigate the source of the smoke and assess the situation.
On closer inspection they found that there wasn’t a fire, the engine had seriously overheated due to boat going aground, this was the reason for the acrid smelling smoke.

The crew thoroughly checked out the boat and when they were happy that everything was safe a tow was attached and the ketch was pulled off the sandbank where it had gone aground.

The all weather lifeboat towed the stricken vessel to deeper water, the people were glad of the help and were going to sort themselves out before going on their way.

Both lifeboats returned to station, made ready for service then the volunteer crews went off to work to do their day job, some of them late !!