A 40 foot sailing yacht with four people aboard had to use the expertise of Cowes RNLI lifeboat’s crew after going aground on rocks in the Western Solent yesterday afternoon (Sunday).
The yacht, Fair Return, had radioed Solent Coastguards it had gone aground at Salt Mead Ledge, off Newtown. After launching at 13:45, the lifeboat was soon on the scene and proceeded to use the yacht’s spinnaker halyard to pull it over to the starboard to lessen its deep draught.
The Fair Return was then able to then free itself and motor free of the danger, apparently undamaged.
The lifeboat, helmed by Max Rimington, returned to station at 2.55 pm.
Meanwhile, Ryde Inshore Rescue launched a short while after to assist a small vessel that had got into difficulty on Ryde Sands.
Ryde Rescue 1 assisted the boat in keeping afloat, before returning to base.
