HOAX CALL REPORTING SINKING BOAT PUTS LIVES IN DANGER

The lives of lifeboat volunteers were put in potential danger in some of the ‘worst conditions ever seen’ earlier this afternoon (Wednesday) when a suspected hoax caller reported that a vessel was sinking near to the Nab Tower.  Solent Coastguard received the Mayday call shortly before 15:30, prompting the launch of Bembridge’s All Weather Lifeboat and the scrambling of Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter from Lee-on-Solent. It was understood that a 17ft boat with a small cabin – with 6 people on board – was taking on water 3 miles south of the Nab Tower, off the East coast of the Isle of Wight. The conditions earlier today have been described as very rough, gale force 9 gusting force 10 at times, with visibility down to around 100m. Shockingly, the search was stood down at 16:24 when it was determined that the Mayday call was in fact a suspected hoax. Deputy Coxswain James Pink, who led the lifeboat crew on today’s shout, is reported to have stated that today’s conditions on the seas were the worst conditions that any of the crew had ever experienced.