A DORSET sailor has paid tribute to the work of the coastguard and the RNLI.

Allan Ward is supporting the Echo’s campaign to site a coastguard supercentre in the area.

Mr Ward, 80, has been sailing since he joined the sea cadets at 14 and lives in Child Okeford.

He was sailing with friend Ron Evans, 86, on board his Weymouth-based boat Tiger Feet when they were assisted back to harbour by the coastguards after suffering engine problems earlier this month.

Trouble occured as they made for Chapman’s Pool in the Purbecks.

En route the engine stopped and needed coaxing to start and run.

They continued towards Weymouth but at White Nothe the engine stopped again so they rigged the sail. By this time the wind was blowing at six or seven knots.

At 8pm the pair made a routine call to the coastguard for advice on the situation.

At 10pm the boat hit an unlit marker bouy that had been left in the bay.

Mr Ward said: “We were on the port tack pointing as high as we could when the buoy became visible just off the starboard bow.

“Contact was made on Tiger Feet’s starboard quarter and lines attached to it wrapped around the rudder. The buoy became very tight to the stern and I think we were dragging a sinker.

“We were reluctant to call for help as we might be able to resolve the problems in daylight next morning.

“After a while Tiger Feet became uncontrollable, wanting to point downwind whilst being restrained by the stern.”

The friends updated the coastguard of what happened and they sent Weymouth lifeboat to tow Tiger Feet in.

Mr Ward said he couldn’t praise the coastguards and lifeboat enough.

He said: “The coastguards were very knowledgeable.

“Providing the supercentre is in the area and retains the local knowledge I’m very much in favour of it.”

READERS can join the campaign in a number of different ways including via Facebook – search for Portland Coastguard – Save Our Lifesavers – or by following links from the Dorset Echo Facebook page.

The petition is available to download from the news section of the Echo website – or fill out the coupon and send it to the office at the Granby Industrial Estate in Weymouth or the Dorchester office in Antelope Walk. Readers can request a paper copy of the petition by calling Catherine Bolado on 01305 830985.

To read more about the campaign visit dorsetecho.co.uk/ campaigns/save_ our_lifesavers/ n Have you been saved by Portland Coastguard or do you know anyone who has?

If so, we’d love to get your support for the coastguards.

Call Catherine Bolado on 01305 830985 or email catherine.bolado @dorsetecho.co.uk