THE skipper of a speedboat who was rescued after it capsized has spoken of his gratitude to Lyme Regis RNLI.

Dan Strawbridge, 22, a farm worker from Colyton, was aboard the speedboat with three others when they were thrown into the sea after finding themselves in trouble 400m off Charmouth beach.

The lifeboat crew had just finished towing a broken down RIB, which had eight people, including one child, on board, back to West Bay harbour on August 11.

As they were returning from the mission and getting their lifeboat back onto dry land they were alerted to the stranded foursome, and raced to help them. Mr Strawbridge explained: “We had been fishing and the engine was ticking over.

“We changed direction and two big waves hit us.

“Suddenly we were all in the water and the boat was sinking.

“I thought I would try and swim ashore while my three friends stayed together, but the lifeboat arrived very quickly.”

Fortunately for the group, the lifeboat crew was halfway through changing out of their dry suits when they received the call, so were able to quickly change back into their gear and re-launch the lifeboat in two minutes, arriving at the scene within five minutes of receiving the call.

Mr Strawbridge added: “We were in the water for only ten minutes, but that was long enough. The lifeboat picked me up first, then my friends.

“I couldn’t fault the lifeboat crew. They were brilliant. We were just cold and wet and very grateful.” After the rescue lifeboat helmsman Elliott Herbert said: “When we arrived at the scene all four adults were in the water and the speedboat was just visible above the surface.

“Needless to say, they were all very pleased to see us.”

Apart from being very cold and very wet, none of the foursome needed any hospital treatment and were all unhurt.

After returning the four, the crew then went back to the scene to recover the sinking 16 foot speedboat and beached it outside Lyme Regis Harbour.

Mr Strawbridge, who is also a member of Axminster Young Farmers club, said he was now thinking of ways he could raise money to donate the RNLI charity, as a way of thanking them for rescuing him and his friends.