UPDATED: Cowes RNLI have rushed to reports of a sinking vessel just outside Cowes Harbour this evening (Friday).
The lifeboat was tasked to launch at around 19:45 after Solent Coastguard received a Mayday call from a passing yacht reporting that a Cowes water taxi was sinking.
The lifeboat has quickly rendezvoused with the casualty vessel, which is thought to have 4 persons on board. A tow has been established.
UPDATE @ 20:50 – Cowes RNLI have now stood down from the incident and have rehoused the B-class lifeboat.
The water taxi has been safely towed to a pontoon in Cowes, where Newport Coastguard Initial Response Team are now on scene.
Island Echo understands the small boat was hit by a wave which knocked out the engine and swamped the deck.
No one has been injured in the incident.
The shout comes just over 3 hours after Cowes RNLI went to the aid of an unconscious sailor.
UPDATE @ 22:00 – Coastguard officers are yet to make contact with the water taxi, which left the safety of the pontoon just minutes after the lifeboat stood down.
