STRICKEN and adrift vessels were rescued by lifeboat crews over the weekend in the waters off Poole.

The pagers first rang out just after midnight on Saturday, July 16, to a report of a 33ft motorboat adrift with five people on board.

The stricken boat had lost power and broken down at the entrance of Poole Harbour.

Those on board had tried to drop the anchor but it hadn’t held, meaning the vessel was a hazard to navigation as they were in the middle of the main channel with a Condor ferry due imminently.

A Poole RNLI lifeboat crew swiftly launched and made its way up the harbour and found the vessel mid-channel at anchor.

The crew attached a towline and transported the five stranded people back alongside to Poole Quay boat haven.

As all was safe, the lifeboat returned to station after a wash down and refuel the lifeboat was made ready for service by 2.15am.

Later in the day, just after 12.30pm, the lifeboat was again tasked to assist a 5m dory boat with one person on-board that was reported to be adrift between North Haven Point and Brownsea Island.

A crew was soon on scene and found the vessel beached close to Brownsea. The lifeboat volunteers checked that the person was okay before taking him under tow back to Baiter.

The lifeboat returned to station and was made ready for service by 2.30pm.