The Atlantic arrived on scene first and transferred two of its crew members on board the chain ferry to check on the casualties, who had been rescued from their Shrimper, and administer first aid, if required.

Conditions were good, sunny and calm but this didn’t stop a drama unfolding.

An earlier attempt to get the Cornish Shrimper off the ferry had resulted in it losing part of its rigging and the mast had fallen on the occupants.

The stricken vessel was going under the ferry lifting ramp, when quick thinking by the ferry operator, put the ramp down further to try and trap the boat, which it did and then the ferry crew helped get the two people off and safely on board the ferry. They were shaken but okay.

Both lifeboats were now on scene and assessed the situation. The chain ferry was on the Studland side, the tide had been coming in, the boat was pinned on the seaward side.

The lifeboat crew asked the chain ferry captain to lift the ramp to release the vessel, the D-Class lifeboat was standing by, down tide.

The Cornish Shrimper popped out like a cork and drifted off, freed with the tide, the D-Class was in position and caught it and then took it back under tow to Parkstone Bay Marina

The Poole Coastguard Rescue Team had arrived on scene at the North Haven side to greet the casualties, but there was a change of plan and the Atlantic took the casualties on board the lifeboat and took them to Parkstone Bay Marina where they were reunited with their vessel.

The chain ferry resumed its service and the lifeboats returned back to station, after a thorough wash down and refuelling, both lifeboats were made ready for service by 7.30pm.

The Atlantic lifeboat was launched again at 9.30pm in a search operation for a drifting dinghy with two people on board but after an extensive search nothing untoward was discovered. The search was deemed inconclusive and the lifeboat crew returned to the station.

After another long day the crew refuelled and washed down, made the lifeboat ready for service and headed home as St James’ Church Poole clock struck midnight, hoping for some respite.