Freshwater Independent Lifeboat was launched to assist a sailing vessel with engine failure off the West Wight last night (Monday).
At 20:34, as darkness fell, Solent Coastguard tasked the independent inshore lifeboat to a Pan Pan call. It had been reported that a vessel had lost engine power.
The lifeboat made good speed to a position around 1 nautical mile South of The Needles, despite the conditions. However it was then established that the yacht was located in the area of Hurst Narrows.
The volunteer lifeboat crew changed course and soon located the casualty vessel before establishing a tow.
Having secured a tow line, Freshwater Lifeboat look the yacht under tow to Yarmouth Harbour where Coastguard Rescue Officers from The Needles Coastguard Rescue Team were waiting.
The lifeboat was recovered at 23:45 last night after more than 3 hours at sea.
Another lifeboat call out from a yacht with engine failure. They are sail boats so why dont they just sail the thing.
Not all yachts are sailing yatchs ♂️
Yeah you need lots of money and be a plastic sailor for one of those
It is not safe to rely on sails alone to enter Yarmouth harbour. At the time of the incident, the tidal flow at the the entrance would have been strong enough to sweep the yacht onto the piles of the pier , that is assuming there was enough breeze to sail safely from Hurst narrows up to Yarmouth in the first place.
Good job done freshwater independence not all heroes wear capes
Get them capes – they deserve it!