A TEENAGER plucked to safety in a dramatic coastal rescue is preparing for a marathon challenge in memory of youngsters lost at sea.

Seb Green, 17, from Weymouth, has turned his life around since a foolish prank more than a year ago when he took a boat for a joyride, sparking an all-night search by coastguards.

It nearly ended in disaster when Seb became trapped in mud but he was found in time and airlifted to hospital by the coastguard helicopter.

Tragedies off the Dorset coast, including 14-year-old Kyle Moore, who is feared drowned after rowing a boat into Portland Harbour in the middle of the night three weeks ago - and the loss of teenagers Mathew Myburgh and Charlie Morrell at Lulworth last year - have made Seb realise how lucky he was.

Portland has also been rocked this week by the loss of young fisherman Peter Lynham who fell from his dad's boat and skipper John Bowman whose boat sank.

Seb, who attends Weymouth College and hopes to join the Royal Marines, plans to walk the coast of Britain next November with his backpack and trusty border collie Flash to raise thousands for charities and raise awareness about sea safety.

He said: "It's my way of giving something back. All this tragedy has brought it home, particularly Kyle who took a boat out just like I did.

"I look at it now and think that could have been me. It shows that we cannot underestimate the power of the sea."

Seb, of Hamilton Close, Littlemoor, was 15 when he and a friend took a rib from Weymouth Harbour around midnight in May 2005.

He said: "Taking the boat was spur of the moment, we took it for a joyride but we planned to put it back in the morning.

"I wasn't a bad kid really. I was bullied when I was younger. It was just one of those crazy things."

He added: "We got stuck in the mud near Littlesea Holiday Camp. I jumped out and sank up to my waist.

"After that my schoolteacher Mr Wright, who is a member of the coastguard came along in a Land Rover.

"They ended up taking us out by helicopter. It was frightening and I was really shocked."

Seb admits it was a turning point and later he was offered the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

He is now well on his way to completing the full award and the walk of around 5,000 miles will be more than enough towards his gold.

He said: "It's something I've always wanted to do and I've worked out it will take a minimum of nine months to complete.

"My chosen charities are the Starlight Children's Foundation because it helps kids in hospital and I wasted hospital time with my joyride.

"Also the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance because it saves lives and I can't give to the coastguard helicopter because it's Government funded."

Seb is being supported by the Duke of Edinburgh's Award team in Dorset and is looking for sponsorship from businesses and individuals so he can buy equipment.

Duke of Edinburgh Award officer Mary Harper said: "Seb is a very fit and determined young man.

"I am absolutely convinced that he can, and will achieve his ambition."

If you can help contact Mary Harper on 01305 254065 or email Seb: sebsis2003@yahoo.co.uk