A LIFEBOAT crew rescued a boat as it started to fill with water after running aground off Poole.

The RNLI boat from the town was scrambled to the harbour entrance at just after 3.30pm on Saturday (November 25). 

The 30-feet vessel’s captain made the call for help and the boat had been aground on Stoney Island, the hard shingle bank just inside the entrance to the harbour, a spokesperson said. 

Conditions were good so the skipper intended to wait for the tide to come back in, but as it did, water began entering over the stern. 

Volunteers launched, and two crew members were quickly transferred onboard the struggling boat. 

Crew members anchoring the aground boat. Photo: RNLI.

They deployed the anchor and within 30 minutes, the water was successfully pumped back into the sea. 

Final checks were made, and the vessel was escorted back into a deeper area. 

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“Once all was safe and well, the lifeboat returned to the station, refuelled, and was ready for service by 5pm,” a spokesperson said.

“This was the 148th call out for the Poole Lifeboat volunteers this year.”