Cowes RNLI launched to the aid of a disabled sailor at the start of his Round Britain and Ireland challenge after his 9m yacht suffered engine failure at just before midnight last night (Friday).
Keith White embarked on his charity challenge with hopes of being the first disabled sailor to sail solo around the coast of Britain and Ireland. However, just west of Cowes his yacht suffered engine troubles prompting a call to Solent Coastguard.
The crew of Cowes lifeboat launched and took the yacht in tow to a berth on the River Medina.
Yesterday the Conservative’s parliamentary candidate, Bob Seely, visited Keith at his berth in Cowes to wish him luck with his fundraising efforts.
Keith is one of the world’s most accomplished solo offshore Yachtsman. He lost the use of his left arm in a motorway accident in 1991.
The late night launch marked the 18th shout for Cowes RNLI and adds to the high number of night time shouts being experienced by the volunteer crew members this year.
