A group of 7 sea-goers who had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol collided with Warden Ledge off the West Wight coast on Thursday, resulting in their boat beginning to sink, it has been revealed.
As previously reported by Island Echo, Yarmouth RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) was tasked to launch just before 18:00 following reports of a speed boat sinking in Colwell Bay.
It has been revealed today (Saturday) that the boat collided with Warden Ledge, ripping the out drive off causing the vessel to begin sinking. 4 members of the drunken group were able to swim ashore, while the remaining 3 called for the assistance of HM Coastguard and the RNLI.
With the Yarmouth lifeboat on scene within minutes, the smaller Y boat was launched with two crew and a salvage pump to start pumping out the speed boat. With the pump holding the ingress of water, the Y boat returned with the 3 casualties to the ALB.
A tow line was made ready while a local business man, Rob Bird of Blue Sail Marine, helped by towing the speed boat into deeper water for the lifeboat to start towing back to Yarmouth.
Just 20 minutes later, the lifeboat arrived in Yarmouth Harbour where the stricken boat was taken to the local boat yard to be lifted.
The 3 casualties, who have not been named, were met by Police and The Needles Coastguard Rescue Team.
