An inflatable sloth sparked a call out for 2 Coastguard Rescue Teams and Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat this afternoon (Wednesday).
Several 999 calls were received by Solent Coastguard at just before 15:30 reporting that an inflatable was drifting out to sea off Compton, rapidly travelling towards Freshwater Bay.
Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team and Needles Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked to the incident, alongside Yarmouth RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat.
After a quick search the owners were found and all were safe and out of the water.
Coastguards say that the inflatable was certainly not fit to use at the coast. It was collected by Yarmouth Lifeboat and taken ashore at station. If you see an inflatable drifting out to sea, dial 999 and ask for Coastguard.
On the way back from locating the inflatable, Yarmouth Lifeboat was tasked again by Solent Coastguard to a 17ft aluminum dory with mechanical failure.
The 4 adults on board were transferred to Yarmouth Lifeboat using appropriate safety measures under the RNLI COVID-19 guidance. A commercial tow was arranged from Keyhaven and the stricken vessel, along with her crew were safely returned to the mainland.
At 17:08, Ventnor CRT were tasked to the West Wight for the third time today to assist colleagues from Needles CRT.
A person had become injured on a vessel in Yarmouth Harbour, resulting in casualty care being given by Coastguard Rescue Officers. Entenox was supplied by Yarmouth RNLI.
The casualty was extracted and passed into the care of the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service.
Really people are quite mad taking these things into the sea, they can be so easily caught by the wing and before you can blink an eye you are way out to sea.