2 people thrown into the water after their boat capsized have been rescued after spending some 5 hours floating in the sea off the Isle of Wight.
It was shortly before 23:30 last night (Wednesday) that HM Coastguard received reports of people shouting for help just off the coast at Priory Bay, between Seaview and St Helens.
Bembridge RNLI’s volunteer crew were paged to launch both the inshore and All Weather lifeboats, making best speed to the area.
Coastguard Rescue 375 helicopter from Lee-on-Solent was also scrambled, with Coastguard Rescue Teams from Bembridge and Ventnor mobilised.
It’s just off Nettlestone that the responding lifeboat crew quickly discovered 2 casualties – a man and a woman – floating in the water, holding onto their upturned boat.
Their boat had capsized earlier in the evening, leaving the pair helplessly bobbing around in the sea for between 4 and 5 hours. Their dog was stood on top of the hull.
The casualties were hauled aboard the lifeboat and rushed into Bembridge Harbour, where they were met by Coastguard Rescue Officers and paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service.
Both lifeboats returned to station by 01:30.
UPDATE @ 13:28 – Further details about the dramatic rescue have come to light, with a dad and his 2 daughters saving the day after hearing cries for help.
Read our exclusive report at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/dad-and-daughters-help-rescue-couple-and-dog-after-hearing-cries-for-help/.
They were very lucky to have been heard at that time of night. Thank goodness they were saved
As i understand, they were lucky that someone sleeping on a nearby boat at anchor heard their cries for help and called the coastguard. Glad everyone was ok.
Exactly why all sailors must have the appropriate safety equipment and the training to use said equipment. They should’ve been able to raise the alarms themselves much sooner.
Couldnt agree more, dont go out on vessels unless you have equipment and basic training