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We can't wait to have Minions of Swanage at Lifeboat Week 2026!

The volunteers had a busy evening on Wednesday. The all-weather lifeboat and its crew were already launched and exercising in Swanage Bay when a tasking was received from Solent Coastguard. A small sail boat and its two occupants was in trouble on the Kimmeridge Ledges. Within 25 minutes the ALB had arrived on scene and shortly afterwards the Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) from Lulworth could be seen arriving by road. The CRT informed the Lifeboat crew that the casualty vessel had been seen by a member of the public; it had capsized but had been righted and was now at the mercy of the wind which was blowing it westward. The lifeboat started searching the sea and shoreline towards Worbarrow Bay.

The sailing boat was found aground at Arish Mell Gap in Worbarrow Bay, its occupants safely on the beach. The CRT team arrived and the decision was made to pull the boat up the beach, away from the water's edge and drive the sailors to safety. The crew will recover their boat when conditions allow.

At 9:25pm the ALB was released from service and began its journey back to the station.

At 9:45pm the ALB received a request to use its searchlights to look for a dog which was suspected of going over the cliff on the Downs, just south of Peveril Point. Just after 10:00pm the lifeboat crew spotted the dog on a ledge halfway down the cliff. The ALB stayed in situ to illuminate the scene whilst HM Coastguard teams from Swanage, St Albans and Kimmeridge, together with support from the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, affected a rescue. After a passing storm with dramatic lightning, at 2:25am the dog, thankfully unharmed, had been lowered to the beach and walked up the Zig Zag steps to be reunited with its owner.

Swanage Lifeboat rehoused at 2:35am on Thursday morning having been at sea for seven and a half hours.

This short video shows the technicians at the top of the cliff and a Coastguard rope technician part way down the cliff with the dog on the ledge above before it was caught.The storm has just come in.

It's your last chance to add a name to Swanage Lifeboat.
The current Launch a Memory campaign will officially close on the 1st June with the website closing at 11.59pm that day.
If you'd like to add a name, please visit - https://rnli.org/support-us/give-money/donate-in-memory/launch-a-memory

This weekend we welcome back RNLI lifeguards, in partnership with Swanage Town Council, who will be operating daily safety patrols on the designated part of Swanage beach from 10am to 6pm, starting on Saturday 23 May.
RNLI lifeguards have all undergone comprehensive training and passed rigorous fitness tests to ensure that they are ready for a busy season ahead. 95% of the lifeguards’ role is preventative, and the teams will be on hand to offer friendly safety advice to visitors.
For those heading to the beach these are the RNLI's top five safety tips are:
1. Swim at a lifeguarded beach, between the red and yellow flags
2. Never use inflatables in strong winds or rough seas
3. Check tide times before you go
4. If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help
5. If you see someone else in trouble, tell a lifeguard as soon as you can. If you can't see a lifeguard, call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.
This year additional wind socks will also be flown along the seafront to alert beach users to offshore winds and hopefully reduce the number of incidents related to inflatables, including inflatable paddleboards, being blown out to sea and the owners not able to paddle ashore.
Although the weather is getting warmer, the water temperature is still cold and can seriously affect your physical response. If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, try to keep calm and not panic or fight against any currents.
If you’re able to do so, lean back and extend your arms and legs to keep your mouth and nose out of the water. Float until you can control your breathing which should only take around one minute. Then call for help and raise your hand to attract attention or try to swim to safety.
For more details about Swanage bay and the beach visit the Swanage Town Council information page https://www.swanage.gov.uk/beachbay.aspx
To find your nearest lifeguarded beach visit https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches
To find out more information about how to float and what to do if you find yourself caught in cold water visit https://rnli.org/safety/float

This weekend we welcome back RNLI lifeguards, in partnership with Swanage Town Council, who will be operating daily safety patrols on the designated part of Swanage beach from 10am to 6pm, starting on Saturday 23 May.
RNLI lifeguards have all undergone comprehensive training and passed rigorous fitness tests to ensure that they are ready for a busy season ahead. 95% of the lifeguards’ role is preventative, and the teams will be on hand to offer friendly safety advice to visitors.
For those heading to the beach these are the RNLI's top five safety tips are:
1. Swim at a lifeguarded beach, between the red and yellow flags
2. Never use inflatables in strong winds or rough seas
3. Check tide times before you go
4. If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help
5. If you see someone else in trouble, tell a lifeguard as soon as you can. If you can't see a lifeguard, call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.
This year additional wind socks will also be flown along the seafront to alert beach users to offshore winds and hopefully reduce the number of incidents related to inflatables, including inflatable paddleboards, being blown out to sea and the owners not able to paddle ashore.
Although the weather is getting warmer, the water temperature is still cold and can seriously affect your physical response. If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, try to keep calm and not panic or fight against any currents.
If you’re able to do so, lean back and extend your arms and legs to keep your mouth and nose out of the water. Float until you can control your breathing which should only take around one minute. Then call for help and raise your hand to attract attention or try to swim to safety.
For more details about Swanage bay and the beach visit the Swanage Town Council information page https://www.swanage.gov.uk/beachbay.aspx
To find your nearest lifeguarded beach visit https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches
To find out more information about how to float and what to do if you find yourself caught in cold water visit https://rnli.org/safety/float

This weekend we welcome back RNLI lifeguards, in partnership with Swanage Town Council, who will be operating daily safety patrols on the designated part of Swanage beach from 10am to 6pm, starting on Saturday 23 May.
RNLI lifeguards have all undergone comprehensive training and passed rigorous fitness tests to ensure that they are ready for a busy season ahead. 95% of the lifeguards’ role is preventative, and the teams will be on hand to offer friendly safety advice to visitors.
For those heading to the beach these are the RNLI's top five safety tips are:
1. Swim at a lifeguarded beach, between the red and yellow flags
2. Never use inflatables in strong winds or rough seas
3. Check tide times before you go
4. If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help
5. If you see someone else in trouble, tell a lifeguard as soon as you can. If you can't see a lifeguard, call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.
This year additional wind socks will also be flown along the seafront to alert beach users to offshore winds and hopefully reduce the number of incidents related to inflatables, including inflatable paddleboards, being blown out to sea and the owners not able to paddle ashore.
Although the weather is getting warmer, the water temperature is still cold and can seriously affect your physical response. If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, try to keep calm and not panic or fight against any currents.
If you’re able to do so, lean back and extend your arms and legs to keep your mouth and nose out of the water. Float until you can control your breathing which should only take around one minute. Then call for help and raise your hand to attract attention or try to swim to safety.
For more details about Swanage bay and the beach visit the Swanage Town Council information page https://www.swanage.gov.uk/beachbay.aspx
To find your nearest lifeguarded beach visit https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches
To find out more information about how to float and what to do if you find yourself caught in cold water visit https://rnli.org/safety/float

Swanage lifeboats were tasked to reports of a person fallen overboard from a boat in Durlston Bay area. As the all-weather lifeboat launched further information came available that the casualty that had fallen from the boat had been picked up by another vessel and was being transferred for assessment in Poole. The boat had continued unmanned and hit the rocks in Durlston Bay where it caught fire.

The lifeboat proceeded to assess the scene and to be able confirm that there was no other person requiring assistance.

HM Coastguard teams from Swanage and St Albans and the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service also attendedthe incident and the inshore lifeboat launched to be on standby to transfer firefighters and kit if required. It was decided to keep the area clear and allow the fire to stop naturally to avoid pollution leaching the sea.

With confirmation that there was only one person onboard who had been recovered and with the fire dying down, the Swanage lifeboats were stood down.

The Coastguard and fire teams monitored the burning wreck during the evening and plans are being made to recover the debris.

Swanage lifeboats were tasked to reports of a person fallen overboard from a boat in Durlston Bay area. As the all-weather lifeboat launched further information came available that the casualty that had fallen from the boat had been picked up by another vessel and was being transferred for assessment in Poole. The boat had continued unmanned and hit the rocks in Durlston Bay where it caught fire.

The lifeboat proceeded to assess the scene and to be able confirm that there was no other person requiring assistance.

HM Coastguard teams from Swanage and St Albans and the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service also attendedthe incident and the inshore lifeboat launched to be on standby to transfer firefighters and kit if required. It was decided to keep the area clear and allow the fire to stop naturally to avoid pollution leaching the sea.

With confirmation that there was only one person onboard who had been recovered and with the fire dying down, the Swanage lifeboats were stood down.

The Coastguard and fire teams monitored the burning wreck during the evening and plans are being made to recover the debris.

Swanage lifeboats were tasked to reports of a person fallen overboard from a boat in Durlston Bay area. As the all-weather lifeboat launched further information came available that the casualty that had fallen from the boat had been picked up by another vessel and was being transferred for assessment in Poole. The boat had continued unmanned and hit the rocks in Durlston Bay where it caught fire.

The lifeboat proceeded to assess the scene and to be able confirm that there was no other person requiring assistance.

HM Coastguard teams from Swanage and St Albans and the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service also attendedthe incident and the inshore lifeboat launched to be on standby to transfer firefighters and kit if required. It was decided to keep the area clear and allow the fire to stop naturally to avoid pollution leaching the sea.

With confirmation that there was only one person onboard who had been recovered and with the fire dying down, the Swanage lifeboats were stood down.

The Coastguard and fire teams monitored the burning wreck during the evening and plans are being made to recover the debris.

📚𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝📚

The book stall is returning to our Lifeboat Fayre this year, and we are ready and waiting for any books you no longer have room for, and may wish to donate.

Donations can be dropped off at Corbens Estate Agents or our RNLI Lifeboat Shop. Alternatively, email our volunteer Wendy at the email address below, and she will organise collection.

To arrange a collection email Wendy at wendybobbit@hotmail.co.uk

#RNLI #Swanage #Purbeck #lifeboat #fundraising

Last week we were training alongside St Albans and Kimmeridge Coastguard volunteers. A great opportunity to familiarise each other with the different kit we use and to practise casualty recovery techniques.

Last week we were training alongside St Albans and Kimmeridge Coastguard volunteers. A great opportunity to familiarise each other with the different kit we use and to practise casualty recovery techniques.

Last week we were training alongside St Albans and Kimmeridge Coastguard volunteers. A great opportunity to familiarise each other with the different kit we use and to practise casualty recovery techniques.

Thank you to @smokeonthewaterswanage for hosting a quiz in aid of Swanage RNLI and for @glenscharityeventsfor organising and running the evening.Every seat was booked and we raised a fantastic £311!

Thank you to @smokeonthewaterswanage for hosting a quiz in aid of Swanage RNLI and for @glenscharityeventsfor organising and running the evening.Every seat was booked and we raised a fantastic £311!

Thank you to @smokeonthewaterswanage for hosting a quiz in aid of Swanage RNLI and for @glenscharityeventsfor organising and running the evening.Every seat was booked and we raised a fantastic £311!

Today, we mark the Centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth.

A special event was held at Buckingham Palace to commemorate the legacy of Her Late Majesty, the longest serving RNLI Patron who held the role for 70 years.

Our charity is eternally grateful to Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family for their ongoing support of our lifesaving mission.

Image credit: RNLI/Nigel Millard

🚨𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫🚨

Have you booked your table for @@smokeonthewaterswanage's charity quiz night yet?

There's less than a week to go, so get your team together and message the number on the poster to secure your place.

#Swanage #Purbeck #lifeboat #fundraising #RNLI

🛟𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤!🛟

Did you know that the lifeboats here at Swanage RNLI launched a combined 84 times in 2025? And that RNLI lifeboats nationwide launched over 9000 times?

None of that would have been possible without the donations given by you, the public.

Take on a mile a day this May and raise funds to support the lifesaving work of the RNLI. The money raised by you will go directly to the lifesaving equipment needed to keep people safe on and around the water this summer.

🏃 Your mile, your way
📅 1–31 May
💙 Help to save lives at sea

Don’t miss out — sign up today: RNLI.org/MaydayMileChallenge

#RNLI #Purbeck #Swanage #fundraising #lifeboat #MaydayMile

The 238 lifeboat stations of the RNLI create a ring of safety around the coasts of the UK and Ireland. We had a visit from a couple who are making a visit around to all the stations as part of the 238 RNLI Lifeboat Station Challenge.

Thank you to our amazing volunteers Ted and Mike for showing them around our station!