YACHT SKIPPER DEATH IN SWANAGE BAY

Following an overnight search of Swanage Bay, a yacht skipper was found in the sea but later declared deceased after setting out for shore from a yacht in a tender.

At 11.46pm on Wednesday night, Portland Coastguard received a 999 call from crew members of the 47 foot sailing yacht Musketeer of Stutton who were on the beach at Studland awaiting the skipper of Musketeer to return them to the vessel by inflatable dinghy after an evening ashore. They reported that the dinghy had not returned after earlier transferring some other crew members back to the yacht. They were concerned that the outboard engine may have broken down and the tender with the skipper on board was now drifting across Poole Bay.

Swanage RNLI All Weather and Inshore Lifeboats, the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Lee on Solent, Swanage & Poole Coastguard Rescue Teams and Dorset Police searched along the shoreline and the water in Poole and Studland Bays. An upturned inflatable dinghy was found marked with the name Musketeer and shortly afterwards, the man was found unconscious in the water without a lifejacket.

He was recovered to the lifeboat then airlifted by the Coastguard rescue helicopter to Poole helicopter landing site to be met by Dorset Police, Poole Coastguard Rescue Officers and South West Ambulance who transferred him to hospital. Despite attempts to resuscitate him, the man could not be revived. Swanage RNLI Lifeboat assisted the remaining crew to return the yacht back to Poole Harbour.

Maddy Davey, Portland Coastguard Watch Manager said,

We would like to express our deepest sympathy for the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time. As summer approaches we want all boat users to keep safe when heading out on the water. Please wear your lifejacket on deck and when you are on a tender because sadly, these tragic accidents do happen even on short trips.

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