The crew of a rowing boat rescued off the coast of Brook on Saturday have thanked the emergency services and local community for coming to their aid, while revealing how rapidly changing weather led to their dramatic capsize.
As first reported by Island Echo, the alarm was raised at around 13:45, with Needles and Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Teams, Yarmouth RNLI, Freshwater Independent Lifeboat and vessels in the area responding to a rowing boat in difficulty.
Team Fourtitude, consisting of skipper Matt Sirrell and fellow crew members Peter Haymes and David Watts, were training for this winter’s World’s Toughest Row – a more than 3,000-mile unsupported Atlantic crossing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua – when they got into difficulty.
The trio are taking on the challenge to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND).
They were rescued by lifeboat and brought safely ashore. Their Rannoch RX45 ocean rowing boat, designed to self-right in the event of a capsize, later ran aground at Brook Chine, where it remains secured and under observation.
It has since emerged that the crew got into difficulty after the weather deteriorated rapidly, leaving them in danger of running aground.
A nearby vessel came to their assistance and began towing the rowing boat towards safety, but the vessel capsized as the tow got underway.
Fortunately, the lifeboat had arrived by that stage and all 3 crew members were pulled from the water. The crew said everything happened incredibly quickly, particularly the sudden change in weather conditions.
In a statement issued following the incident, the trio thanked those involved in the rescue and recovery effort.
They said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to the RNLI, HM Coastguard, the River Yar Boatyard and everyone involved in Saturday’s rescue.
“And to those who stayed on the beach late into the evening offering us refreshments and accommodation, your kindness and support has been breathtaking.
“Most importantly, we’re all safe and accounted for – if a little bruised, both physically and emotionally.”
Matt also praised the crew from Freshwater Independent Lifeboat Station, describing them as outstanding.
He recalled how one local resident brought the crew a flask of tea and some cake while they were working to secure the boat after it had washed ashore.
Matt said he could not believe how helpful everyone had been and that the people of the Isle of Wight had restored his faith in humanity. As the owner of a business operating in what he describes as a cut-throat industry, he said the generosity and willingness of complete strangers to help had been a refreshing experience.
Those wishing to support Matt, Peter and David’s fundraising efforts for the Motor Neurone Disease Association can do so via their Give as you Live fundraising page at www.donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/fourtitude.
