Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team

17/10/2026

The importance of varied training

From Southampton's docks in the east to Barton-on-Sea and Milford-on-Sea in the west, our area includes busy shipping lanes, small and large marinas, mudflats, watersports areas, beaches and cliffs.

This variety brings different challenges. Classroom and practical training across different environments helps prepare us for the range of incidents we may face. Our callouts so far this year have highlighted the value of this training.

Consistent training also helps us work effectively alongside other Coastguard teams when operational needs take us beyond our usual area or our area requires additional coastguards to support the search or rescue.

17/10/2026

With plenty of mud in our coastal area, our team trains in mud rescue. This is important advice to remember should you get stuck.

Stuck in the mud? 🥾

Mud can quickly become dangerous, especially near open water and when the tide is rising.

Check local warnings signs before setting off and avoid walking across muddy areas, as hidden channels of fast-flowing water can be difficult to spot.

If you become stuck:

• Sit back and spread your weight evenly across the surface

• Tell others not to attempt a rescue, as they could become stuck too

• Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard

04/10/2026

Found something unusual on the beach?

Although rare, it could be unexploded ordnance.

Stormy seas, bad weather and high tides can uncover objects that have been hidden for many years.

Ordnance can come in many shapes and sizes, so if you spot something you’re unsure about, don’t touch or move it.

Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. We’ll work with the relevant authorities to make the area safe and ensure the object is dealt with correctly.

01/10/2026

🚨September Round-Up🚨

September opened with the team supporting a boat that had run aground on Hurst Spit and ended with us responding to reports of a paddleboarder who had been reported missing.

Despite the cooler weather and children returning to school, the pagers continued to sound regularly. We responded to a wide range of incidents, including boats stuck on rocks, mud and shingle, people experiencing mental health issues, safety cover and incidents alongside other emergency services. Our training allows us to work safely in challenging coastal environments, using our specialist equipment and local knowledge to reach casualties, provide care and help bring them to a place of safety.

Training continued with casualty medical and evacuation training on board a motor vessel, alongside developing our search techniques. Some of the team also carried out a patrol west of our station to build local knowledge and check access routes.

We also joined Hardley Fire Station for their open day, meeting their firefighters, learning more about their capabilities and speaking with local people.

If you are concerned about yourself, someone you know or something you see on the water or around the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

30/09/2026

Lymington RNLI assists damaged vessel after striking rocks

At around 8.30pm on Saturday 26 September, Lymington Lifeboat David Bradley was tasked by Solent Coastguard following a report from the Southbourne and Lymington Coastguard Rescue Teams of a vessel that had struck rocks off Milford-on-Sea.

The vessel was believed to have sustained damage and had left the area before the lifeboat arrived.

The lifeboat made its way to Milford-on-Sea and began a search westwards. With assistance from Southbourne Coastguard Rescue Team, the vessel was located near the entrance to Mudeford Harbour, travelling at approximately 8–10 knots. The lifeboat requested that the vessel stop so the situation could be assessed.

Two lifeboat crew members went aboard and established that one engine had been damaged and was no longer working, while the second engine was operating at reduced power.

The lifeboat then escorted the vessel back towards Lymington. With only one engine operating at reduced power, the passage took approximately an hour and a half.

During the journey, the crew discovered that the vessel was taking on water. The bilge pump was keeping pace with the ingress, but the source of the water could not be identified.

On arrival in Lymington, the vessel and its owner were handed over to Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team. As it was not possible to lift the vessel out of the water that night, it was secured alongside the slipway at Lymington Lifeboat Station as a precaution.

The lifeboat crew then returned to station, where the lifeboat was made ready for service once again.

The RNLI is an independent charity that saves lives at sea.

Crew: Declan (Helm), Piers, James, Simon.

RNLI

📸Jason Ludlow

19/09/2026

17/09/2026

At the start of the month, we were invited to one of the marinas local to our station, by the owner of a motor cruiser to carry out some training onboard.

We practised casualty care and extraction, using the boat to make the training as realistic as possible.

Training like this is really valuable for the team. It allows us to work through the practical challenges of dealing with a casualty onboard a vessel and consider how the space, access and layout can affect the way we work.

A big thank you to the owner for giving us the opportunity to use their boat.

09/09/2026