LIFEBOAT volunteers were called out after an upturned dinghy was reported near the Sandbanks chain ferry.

The RNLI crew from Poole Lifeboat Station launched at 8.45am on Wednesday.

A spokesman said the volunteers “responded swiftly” as the vessel was unaccounted for, and it was not known if there was anyone on the dinghy or how it got there. The harbour launch also attended.

“On closer inspection it was clear that the vessel had not been recently used, there were no signs that anyone had been using it and it was thought that the wreck had been picked up by the high water and washed out with the tide,” the spokesman said.

“It was a launch with good intent.”

The stricken vessel was towed back to shore by the harbour launch, and the lifeboat crew had returned to the station by 9.30am.