Shallow water near the entrance to Southampton Water proved a real challenge for both a yacht and a harbour launch this evening (Monday) – resulting in a request for Cowes RNLI lifeboat to provide much-needed help.
The yacht, Hebe, with 3 people aboard, went aground on the south-west tip of the Bramble Bank at the mouth of Southampton Water. The combination of rising tide and wind was pushing the boat further and further on to the unforgiving bank.
Although a Southampton Harbour launch arrived in the vicinity, its draught proved just too deep to allow it to get close enough to tow the yacht to safety; so the Cowes RNLI Atlantic 85 lifeboat ‘Sheena Louise’ was tasked to cross the Solent to perform the task.
Very soon the yacht was floating free again, enabling it to continue on its course from Southampton to East Cowes.
The lifeboat, which launched at 18:10, returned to station just over 30 minutes later, where a fresh crew was waiting to go on a planned training exercise.
