Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team and Cowes RNLI have been involved in a search of the River Medina and Solent today (Saturday) following the discovery of a dinghy off East Cowes.
Solent Coastguard requested the launch of the inshore lifeboat at Cowes at around 08:15 following reports of a dinghy found close to the shore with an outboard and oars attached.
A search, in bitterly cold winds, began at 08:29 and lasted a total of 3-and-a-half hours. The lifeboat meticulously searched the Solent between East Cowes and Egypt Point, plus Cowes Harbour and the River Medina as far as The Folly.
Enquires were carried out with the assistance of Ventnor Coastguards with the owner of the dinghy eventually contacted. They were able to confirm no one was in danger. The dinghy is based at Shepards Marina and has been returned there by a Cowes Harbour Commission launch.
Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team have been back to East Cowes this lunchtime in response to a boat aground near Venture Quays.
A small yacht with several people has got into difficulty.
Local boats are assisting the casualty vessel, with Coastguard Officers keeping eyes on from the shore.
