Wall to wall sunshine encouraged an eclectic mix of craft out on the water on 1 June and Poole lifeboat crews attended half a dozen incidents in less than three hours.

It started at 1.15pm when Poole Lifeboat volunteers launched in full PPE to a report of a possible person in the water off Bournemouth Pier. Following a search of the area nothing untoward was found so the crew began to head back.

Conditions in Poole Bay were slight with an easterly wind and the beach was busy. Before being able to return to the station, the lifeboat crew was required to attend:

• a person out of their depth on a lilo near Alum Chine
• a broken-down jet ski with two people on board at the entrance of the harbour by the chain ferry
• a grey rib with two people on-board that had broken down
• a broken-down red speedboat with two people on-board near Bell Buoy, not far from Brownsea Castle. In this instance a towline was necessary and the lifeboat began to take the stricken vessel back to Baiter slipway, when
• a  person in the water holding on to a jet ski also indicated the need for help due to machinery failure.

The lifeboat crew requested that the D Class be launched to assist, and both the speedboat and jet ski were towed to the slipway. With everyone safely ashore the lifeboats returned to the station and after a thorough deep clean were ready for service by 5pm.

Volunteer helm Jonathan Clark said, “It was a full on two-and-a-half hours for the crew today, on the back of a hectic weekend, with call outs for all sorts of things. We understand that people want to enjoy the good weather but please be prepared and don’t put yourself at risk, if you are or if you see anyone in difficulty, please call 999 and ask for the Coastguard as conditions, weather and tides can change very quickly, please stay safe.”