17 October - Poole RNLI Lifeboats volunteer crew stretcher a man to safety through not so glorious mud.

Portland coastguard launched the Poole RNLI Inshore lifeboat to a report of a small speedboat seen capsized up in the Wareham Channel.

The stricken vessel, a small dory had three men onboard, when it had got in to trouble. The inshore lifeboat swiftly arrived on scene it found that the men had left the partially submerged vessel and had managed to wade and scramble through the mud to a small beach. The back of the harbour can be treacherous it was a relief to see them all ashore.

The volunteer crew struggled through the mud to get to the men, the tide was extremely low by now and it was difficult to get ashore. They found the men on the beach extremely cold and one of the men was lying down. He was exhausted and incapable of moving, he was close to hypothermia and was incapable of walking or standing up on his own. The decision was made to launch the all weather lifeboat because we needed more crew. The cold night was drawing in and he was completely wiped out. He had signs of hypothermia; there was no other way of getting him safely off the beach. The extra “man” power and equipment was required to evacuate the debilitated man by stretcher.

The all weather lifeboat soon arrived on scene. The volunteer crew took blankets and a stretcher; they clambered through the mud and low water to the casualties on the beach. The crews wrapped the two men who could stand in blankets and helped them whilst the other man was carried on a stretcher across the mud. The crew gingerly made their way back to the Inshore lifeboat, its was likened to walking through treacle, very precarious and not an easy task.

An ambulance had been requested by radio and was standing by at Dorset Lake; the casualty was transferred into the ambulance and taken to Poole hospital for further treatment. The Inshore lifeboat went back to the Wareham Channel and salvaged the semi-submerged dory and towed it back safely to shore.

Both boats returned back to station where they were thoroughly washed down, the mud is not only treacherous its sticks like glue; it may good for the complexion but not for the kit and equipment.

Helmsman Dave Riley said, “This was an interesting “shout” due to the low water, dwindling light and extremely muddy shoreline, we were glad to get them back safe.