Island RNLI Crews and Coastguard Rescue Officers are enduring a busy afternoon today (Saturday) dealing with a large number of incidents linked to the Round the Island Yacht Race.
The most notable incident of the afternoon however saw Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 175 called to a mayday yacht South of St Catherine’s Point, where windy conditions had been proving tricky. With the assistance of Yarmouth RNLI, the casualty on the vessel was successfully air-lifted to St Mary’s Hospital in Newport.
Another 1 of the incidents today has seen a 45ft yacht capsize on approach to Sandown Bay, whilst elsewhere Bembridge RNLI also attended a capsized yacht near the boathouse.
Earlier in the day, a Trimaran capsized off The Needles, with the crew aboard Yarmouth RNLI’s Lifeboat coming to the aid of the stricken vessel and its crew.
On land, all of the Island’s Coastguard Rescue Teams – from Ventnor, Bembridge and The Needles – are responding to various incidents..
Several RNLI Lifeboats from the mainland – including one from across the Solent in Portsmouth – are also making their way to the Island on standby.
It is believed that so far at least 12 incidents have unfolded, leaving most of the local lifeboat stations empty whilst crews responded.
Numerous incidents are still ongoing.
Waste of taxpayers money. About time we cancelled this silly event!
What tax payers money is being spent? The RNLI isn’t government funded.
Absolutely, they volunteer to serve on the lifeboats, Money is raised through the year, throughout the Country amazing and amazing crews
Yeah why not cancel everything and loose all the tradition we as a great nation have built up over the years – what a retard
Too true – cancel it
You drooling pointless moron. Stay indoors we don’t want you types anywhere near us sailor folk. We cannot stand you boring land locked cardigan wearing nimbys.
Tax payers money? please post proof of this like 99% of “I’m entitled to my opinion” assertions on here not based on any facts, just top of the head knee jerk of words, based on.. well nothing at all really.. Which also severely limits any semblance of informed discussion unfortunately, like arguing with a brexiteer you get absolutely nowhere just a headache! 🙁
It’s funded by the public and brings in loads of revenue you waste of brain cells . Think of the money raised for RNLI raised this weekend ! Hope it’s extended to two days just to annoy the hell out of you Mr Fun Troll
The RNLI and the Coastguard Rescue teams are all volunteers so nothing to do with tax payers you thicko!
The Coastguard rescue teams are volunteers however their equipment , the Rescue helicopter, the coastguard officers at the MRCc are all tax payers funded. The MCA are given funding from the Govt to offer the service! Accidents do happen but in this instance they went out in adverse weather and ended up in difficulty! No doubt all you master mariners putting the the op down have vast knowledge of yachting, met, tides and search planning! heyho what’s says me I’m only an ex coastguard officer of 23 yrs!
Why cancel it? Its the second biggest UK event after the London Marathon for competitors. It generates huge revenue for the island, huge publicity for the sport and the island, and most entrants probably pay rather a lot of income tax as it is and donate heavily to the RNLI. It’s a brilliant event and it was even better today in 25 knots +
Totally agree
Yeah and whilst your at it get all the drivers off the road too for causing accidents. Silly comment from a jealous chair sitter.
Taxpayers?
Actually the RNLI is a charity manned by brilliant volunteers. When you give your next donation be sure to tick the gift aid box.
It’s funded by charitable donations and many of the RNLI crew are yachting people themselves
Please demonstrate where taxpayers funded any of this! What else do you want cancelled? Grand National, Cup Final, London Marathon?
Entry for the race should be dependent on some sort of competency qualificationand an accurate pre-race forecast of the likely wind and sea conditions.Otherwise the risk the participationof rank amateurs and beginners couldseriously put at risk the lives of the volunteer rescuers.
Entry for the race should be dependent on some sort of competency qualificationand an accurate pre-race forecast of the likely wind and sea conditions.Otherwise the risk of the participation of rank amateurs and beginners could seriously put at risk the lives of the volunteer rescuers.
The RNLI is not funded by the taxpayer nor is Ryde Inshore Lifeboat. ‘Silly Event? yachting sustains thousands of jobs, it trains people of all ages in boat handling, skills that we might need someday in a national emergency and of course it gives much pleasure. It is probably the latter that upsets the ‘whinge brigade’ Of course it has nothing to do with envy!
Manned by volunteers, a charity, give your brains a shake!
Its a charity not tax payers funding. Absolutewly not a silly event!! Mealy mouthed nonsense comment go back to watching the TV!!
Get out there in the winters and sail. Not only fair weather. Big difference. Let me tell you.
Why on earth would anyone want to do that ? Can’t exactly pleasurable.
Fair weather? Gusting 28 kts onboard our boat today. Of st Cats it was brutal. Not only due to the wind direction but the wave direction which made it a nightmare under spinnaker. Great fun though
Not so much” FUN” for the lifeboat crews In response to the call outs !!
Collecting a different type of boat people for a chamge. One’s that actually truly need help.
This is so, BUT, no its not fun for lots of services, however, you never hear them grumble that’s their vocation. In any sport there is an a element of “danger” sky diving, fly passes, F1, football and many more sports. There is always a foolish element in any sport, give ’em a break …
Yes but.Judging when the wind is strong enough to justify putting a reef in the main sail comes down to practice and experience. But if, say, 18 knots is your trigger point, then remember to measure the wind speed over the deck,
Watched it from our balcony in ventnor, it looked great and reminded me of my racing years ago in the Solent, I’m jealous.
20 upvotes for this gibberish.
Someone seems to have access to your account, IE.
And judging by the atrocious English, I’m guessing his name is Ivan.
Please tell me they give a donation to the volunteer RNLI.
I worked in a RNLI shop today and yes I accepted donations as well as “sailors” buying products from home and abroad.
Every yacht to donate £100
Too the RNLI when competing in this race
Don’t forget the independent lifeboat stations thar receive no funding from RNLI donations or Government. Hamble Lifeboat. Gosport and Fareham Lifeboat all deserve your donations too..
See my article in issue 182 of Powerboat and RIB Magazine..
Watched it from Ventnor, at least 3 yachts had major issues, but it is a fantastic event.
I do hope that all involved in the race donate to the RNLI ,though because they do an amazing job.
Great entertainment. Look forward to next year
Tax payers don’t fund RNLI, its all voluntary contributions to the charity.
I bet there was a lot of cussing going on between Captains “Get out the way you silly b—— “
Try the other way around the Isle of Wight
Double handed race often goes anticlockwise
What about a mention for the Independent life boats that were also helping.