FIVE PEOPLE RESCUED FROM SINKING SPEEDBOAT OFF BOURNEMOUTH BEACH

Four people and a child were rescued from a sinking speedboat this afternoon. The boat began taking on water while anchored off Bournemouth Beach for the Bournemouth Air Festival.

At 2 pm one of four adults on board the Fletcher speedboat called Portland Coastguard by dialling 999 to report that their vessel was taking on water. When they called they told the Coastguard that they were standing in ankle-deep water and didn’t have lifejackets.

Whilst the RNLI lifeboats from Poole (which had been stationed off Bournemouth Pier) made its way to the scene, the child was passed from the speedboat to a small yacht. Just before the Poole Lifeboats arrived on scene the speedboat sank and the four adults were rescued from the water. The lifeboats took them to Bournemouth Pier for medical treatment.

Portland Coastguard Watch Manager Ros Evans said;

“They were very lucky to survive as they had no lifejackets, flares or radio. If the lifeboats had not been in the area they would have been unlikely to have kept themselves afloat for long.

”H.M. Coastguard recommends that motorboaters should wear a lifejacket at all times whilst on deck. These lifejackets should be well maintained and should have a sprayhood and whistle if possible.”

-Ends-

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