Fears that sailors were in immediate, life-threatening danger off the South of the Isle of Wight led to the launch of a search and rescue operation overnight into the early hours of this morning (Tuesday).
Bembridge RNLI Lifeboat, Selsey RNLI lifeboat and Coastguard Rescue 163 helicopter from Lydd in Kent were all tasked by HM Coastguard after a Mayday call was picked up during last night’s stormy weather.
Bembridge’s All Weather Lifeboat launched down the slipway at around 23:40 to locate and assist the yacht ‘Sunshine’ – of unknown size – believed to have 2 crew on board. The vessel had sent out a voice Mayday message saying that immediate assistance was required.
Search and rescue resources headed to a position around 12 miles South East of St Catherine’s Point. 2 commercial vessels, who had also picked up the transmission, also assisted with the search.
A parallel track search was conducted by Bembridge Lifeboat, whilst Selsey’s All Weather Shannon-class Lifeboat tasked to search to the east. The Coastguard helicopter from Lydd also swept the area, with the local Coastguard Rescue 175 on another job in the Channel Islands.
With nothing found and the search complete, the incident was brought to a close by 03:30.
If you or someone else is in difficulty on the coast or at sea, or if you spot what you think may be unexploded ordnance, then dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Further safety information can be found at https://coastguardsafety.campaign.gov.uk/.
Get help faster by giving emergency services your exact location by using ///what3words.
what3words have divided the world into 3m squares and given each square a unique combination of three words, which means when you are in a remote area of the Isle of Wight you can get assistance much quicker without the need for local knowledge.
So if it was a hoax call if the culprits are caught give them a 10yr prison sentence for endangering life of all those rescuer’s and if anyone else had needed their help. If they got assets get the thousands this cost as well.
If not hoax, can only feel for the family of lost one’s on Sunshine.
If it was another malicious call, then the caller needs to be traced and dealt with with the full force of the law. On the other hand if it was genuine hope they are OK.
So how does a boat that requires emergency assistance just disappear? All those poor people involved in the rescue attempt, no boat or persons found??