Just as dusk was falling last night, Portland Coastguard operations room received and responded to two Mayday calls on VHF Channel 16 from a group of 16 kayakers who had strayed into the notorious Portland Bill race and were in acute danger of being being overturned in the fierce tidal conditions.  Portland Coastguard Helicopter RESCUE-106, already tasked to a previous incident, was diverted immediately and scrambled to this incident, Weymouth RNLI All-weather and Inshore Lifeboats were also launched immediately.  The Customs Cutter VALIANT also responded to a Mayday Relay broadcast by Portland Coastguard on VHF and hurried to assist.  

As this situation was judged to be critical, additional assistance was requested from Solent Coastguard in the form of Coastguard Helicopter RESCUE-104 from Lee-on-Solent.  As darkness descended, the two Rescue Helicopters used their searchlights to floodlit the scene and pinpoint the kayakers to enable both the arriving Lifeboats to quickly rescue the occupants.  During this phase of the operation, Valiant gave significant assistance also using her searchlights.  Eventually all 16 kayakers were brought safely aboard the All-weather Lifeboat.  Shortly after, the health of two of the rescued kayakers started to deteriorate (shock and early signs of hypothermia suspected), so they were airlifted by RESCUE-106 to Dorchester Hospital A&E. The BBC said the group was from the Upper Hamble Canoe Club in Hampshire.

The Lifeboats then delivered the remaining 14 kayakers to Portland Marina, where they were met by Portland Bill Coastguard Rescue Officers and paramedics from South Western Ambulance.  Wyke Coastguard Rescue Officers manned the helicopter landing site in Dorchester at very short notice, assisted by Wyke Coastguard Sector Manager.  But for the speed of response by the rescue units this incident could easily have had a less happy outcome, 16 people had a very narrow escape.

Earlier yesterday afternoon, Portland Coastguard averted another potential tragedy when at 3.30pm a dog (not on a lead) ran over the top off the cliff at Durdle Door, just west of Lulworth Cove.  Portland Coastguard received two near-simultaneous 999 calls, one reporting the dog over the cliff, and the other reporting the owner, who had put his own life in danger in a misguided attempt to rescue his dog.  The Portland Coastguard Helicopter RESCUE-106 and Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Team were both immediately tasked.  Further 999 calls from the informants reported the owners situation and well-being deteriorating rapidly.  

Arriving on scene, RESCUE-106 immediately airlifted the owner off the cliff face and landed him on the cliff path.  The Rescue helicopter was then immediately tasked off to another serious incident off Portland and the Coastguard Rescue Officers rescued the dog from the base of the cliff.  The dog was rushed off to a vet by the Coastguard where he was checked over.  The dog is reported to be recovering and both he and his owner should survive their ordeal.

HM Coastguard advise owners to keep their dogs on leads when walking the cliff paths and never to put your own life in danger in an attempt to rescue a beloved family pet.