SWANAGE lifeboat crew leaped into action to rescue three people on board a yacht at the weekend.

Heavy seas and strong winds pushed the yacht towards rocky cliffs which line the coast south of Swanage on Saturday (September 20).

The vessel’s engine was experiencing issues and the dangerous conditions meant the crew were unable to control it in the rolling waves.

Swanage’s all-weather lifeboat, George Thomas Lacy, and its volunteer crew launched just after 5pm and headed south west in gale force winds and rough seas.

“The lifeboat’s coxswain decided the safest course of action was to leave the yacht’s crew onboard their vessel and tow it to shelter in order to reassess,” a Swanage RNLI spokesperson said.

“Given the weather conditions, and rough seas, it was far too dangerous to transfer people between the two boats.”

The crew’s skills were pushed to the limits as they battled gale force winds, huge waves and a significant swell.

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With skilful boat handling, in potentially dangerous proximity to the casualty vessel, and teamwork by the volunteer lifeboat crew, a tow was eventually established.

The yacht and RNLI lifeboat headed out of the rough seas and into the comparative calm of Studland Bay.

The spokesperson added: “At this point the yacht’s crew were taken onboard the lifeboat and two RNLI volunteer crew members were transferred to the yacht so that it could be towed into Poole Yacht Haven and moored up safely.

“Not long after 8pm the yacht was secured to a pontoon and handed back to its crew. The lifeboat was released from service and returned to Swanage.”

Visit rnli.org/boating for safety advice and tips.