MUDEFORD RNLI saved a family from a 37-foot motorboat after it came perilously close to shore at Hurst Point. 

Called out at 10.45am on August 15, Mudeford RNLI rushed to the motorboat manned by two adults and a child, and a dog on board, in difficulty off Hurst Point. 

The vessel was reported to have suffered from complete mechanical failure and was drifting towards shore.

A spokesperson for Mudeford RNLI said: "The Mudeford Servant Atlantic 85 lifeboat launched at 10.55am in moderate conditions with force 6 winds and waves up to 2m high.

"The crew arrived on scene at 11.05am and quickly established the vessel had experienced total mechanical failure and was perilously close to shore.

"The sea conditions meant it was not possible to transfer the crew of the casualty vessel to the lifeboat safely.

"With time running out, a member of the Mudeford RNLI lifeboat crew volunteered to transfer to the casualty vessel and assist in setting up a towline."

The lifeboat towed the motorboat away from the shore and to the safety of Lymington marina.

The lifeboat then returned to Mudeford lifeboat station at 1:40pm.

Mudeford RNLI volunteer Helm, Ian Parker said: "This was a rescue that was right down to the wire.

"If we had not been able to launch as quickly as we did the outcome could have been very different."