Cowes RNLI lifeboat and Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter were involved in the Solent rescue of a yachtsman complaining of chest pains this evening (Wednesday).
The yachtsman was 1 of several people aboard the 38ft ‘Marta’ which was being towed by a motor cruiser from Cowes to Hamble. After he was transferred to the lifeboat, the Lee-on-Solent based Coastguard helicopter – which just happened to be in the area – lowered down a paramedic to carry out an examination.
Following an initial examination, the casualty and Coastguard paramedic were taken by lifeboat to Trinity Landing in Cowes, where RNLI shore crew assisted in the man’s transfer to an ambulance waiting on The Parade for onward conveyance to St Mary’s Hospital, Newport.
Before returning to its station the lifeboat briefly went out into the Solent again so that the helicopter could hoist back its paramedic.
The lifeboat, which had launched at 18:42, was away from station for around 90 minutes.
It was the second time in 3 days that the lifeboat had been on a shout involving the Marta. On Monday evening it towed the yacht into Cowes after it went aground or struck an underwater object west of the town. The same 4 crew members of the Cowes RNLI lifeboat were involved in both incidents.
Editor’s footnote: It was initially reported that the emergency teams were responding to a boat fire in the Solent. This report was based on several reports of a boat fire, photographic evidence of smoke coming from a vessel and the response of the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service to Cowes at the same time as this incident. It has since transpired not to be the case and we apologise for this mistake.
