May 24 Mayday call for man overboard

1230 Both Poole lifeboats launched to a 12m yacht that had put out a Mayday on channel 16 for a man overboard. The yacht was 1 mile east off the entrance to Poole harbour with a number of people onboard. They were on their way back to their berth at Dolphin Haven when the man went overboard. The conditions out there were rough with the winds blowing north easterly force 5–6. The yacht had tried to reach the man and get him back but their engine had failed to start.

When the lifeboats arrived on scene he had been in the water for some time and was suffering from hypothermia. The casualty was airlifted off the Poole inshore lifeboat by the search and rescue helicopter and taken to Poole hospital for treatment. Several of the crew on the stricken yacht were suffering from seasickness; the all-weather lifeboat attached a tow and brought them back to the safety of Dolphin Haven. (Photos: Dave Riley)

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