The accidental deployment of a life raft led to Cowes RNLI lifeboat racing to the aid of a 40ft yacht on a wind-swept Solent this evening (Friday).
As the yacht ‘Thunderflash’ wallowed beam-on to the Force 6/7 south-westerly off Egypt Point, its crew alerted Solent Coastguard that it had somewhat of a problem. The Coastguard was also contacted by onlookers on the shore at Cowes.
When the Atlantic 85 class lifeboat arrived on the scene shortly after 18:00, the volunteer crew found that a life raft container had broken free from the stern, leading to the raft automatically inflating when it hit the water and then releasing its drogue.
With the 2 men on the yacht apparently finding it difficult to recover either raft or drogue, it was left to the lifeboat crew to perform the task. The lifeboat helm and yacht skipper agreed the best policy was to cut the liferaft adrift for the lifeboat to bring the now-deflated raft ashore.
The yacht, based in Southampton, was able to continue on its way westwards.
The lifeboat returned to station soon after 18:30.
