Cowes RNLI lifeboat was one of three lifeboats that took part in a search for a yacht reported to be overdue in Hamble last night (Sunday).
The volunteer crew launched at just gone 22:30 alongside flanking station Calshot, but after well over an hour of searching the yacht was thankfully found safely tied up in Beaulieu River, with those aboard rather surprised to have been the subject of such a rescue drama.
The search was launched by Solent Coastguard after the 8m Merlot failed to contact friends ashore and when the yacht failed to arrive at Hamble from Beaulieu.
It was the Cowes RNLI crew that eventually found the yacht in a Beaulieu River marina, with two adults and the two children on board. Another 2 adults reported to have been onboard earlier had sought bed and breakfast for the night.
Cowes lifeboat returned to station at 00:20, nearly two hours after launching.
