BOTH of the Swanage RNLI lifeboats were launched yesterday after a small boat with two people onboard became lost in the fog.

The pair raised the alarm by calling the coastguard using a mobile phone.

Kimmeridge Bay volunteer coastguard team were also mobilised during the drama, which unfolded just before 9pm on Saturda.

A RNLI spokesman explained: "The people calling had got lost after fog had closed in on them, somewhere in the region of Kimmeridge Bay. To compound matters, they had no lights, radio or flares and a mobile signal was far from guaranteed."

The larger all-weather lifeboat led the way across Durlston Bay in very poor visibility, with the inshore lifeboat following closely behind taking advantage of the all-weather vessel's radar and electronic navigation system - as well as the flattened water in its wake.

While the coastguard team, operating from the cliff top, had been unable to sight any vessel through the fog, a radar target a mile further west was investigated and proved to be the missing vessel.

The spokesman said: " Both occupants were fine but grateful to have been found and the inshore lifeboat escorted them back to Kimmeridge Bay where they were met by the coastguard.

"With the situation resolved both boats were able to retrace their steps, arriving back in Swanage at 10.50pm."