Yarmouth RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat launched to assist a vessel to the north of their station this afternoon (Sunday).
Solent Coastguard requested the launch of the lifeboat at around 16:15 when it was reported that a vessel required assistance not far from Yarmouth Harbour.
Needles Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked at 16:38 to assist with mooring the casualty vessel, which was escorted into port by the volunteer lifeboat crew.
The elderly skipper of the vessel was given safety advice by Coastguard Rescue Officers.
The Needles Coastguard Rescue Team were called into action again at 18:54 when reports were received of concerns for the welfare of 4 males in a small tender.
It had been reported by a member of the public that the 4 men had launched into rough seas at Gurnard.
A search was carried out from Gurnard to Cowes Harbour via the Esplanade but nothing was found.
Over in the East Wight, Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked to establish eyes-on with a yacht off Shanklin Esplanade.
Solent Coastguard requested that the team monitor and observe following reports of a yacht which appeared to be drifting towards Horse Ledge.
The vessel was seen spinning and not making any progress resulting in Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat being launched. The volunteer lifeboat crew were able to confirm that those on board the yacht were OK and no help was required.
RNLI always there to help. Volunteers, risk their lives and never complain. Remember when you see a collection box please pop a few coins in it. We live on an island, we need them. Thank you for the service you give 24/7, 365 days of the year.
The independent lifeboats receive no funding from the RNLI and have to self fund from donations and fundraising. They don’t have the £ millions that RNLI have in reserve, so please take time to donate to the independents next time you see them on your trips to the beach.
And you get all this info from the public? Or from an illegal tracking device?
All of the lifeboats are fitted with what is known as ‘AIS’, which allows anyone to track their position. Furthermore, Needles CRT published the details of their shouts, as did Ventnor CRT.
Whilst we do get a lot of information from the public, there is also a good stream of official information on the Island, especially with authorities using social media now.