Bembridge RNLI’s Tamar class lifeboat was launched to assist a 37ft catamaran taking on water and drifting towards the main shipping channel this afternoon (Monday).
The volunteer RNLI crew were paged to launch at just before 13:30 at the request of Solent Coastguard and launched alongside flanking station Portsmouth RNLI, who were also paged to assist in the rescue.
The catamaran ‘Living Dream’ with 2 persons on board was taking on water into the starboard hull quite quickly and was in potential danger of sinking whilst drifting in the force 7 gusting 8 wind, which was pushing the boat towards the main shipping channel.
As there was a perceived danger to life, a passing yacht was asked by HM Coastguard to stay with the casualty in case she sank before the lifeboats arrived.
Thankfully, Bembridge Lifeboat was quickly with the casualty vessel just 6 minutes after launching with the Portsmouth lifeboat arriving 5 minutes later, at which point the attending yacht was allowed to continue on their passage.
Armed with the lifeboat’s salvage pump, two of the volunteer crew members were put on to the catamaran and once the pump was activated, the water level was able to be reduced and the vessel to became more stable.
A tow was rigged to the Bembridge Lifeboat and a slow tow was commenced to Portsmouth Harbour with the Portsmouth RNLI Lifeboat accompanying as far as the Horsesand Fort, where she was released to return to her home station.
Bembridge Lifeboat continued the tow into Portsmouth Harbour and the catamaran was placed on a berth inside Haslar Marina, where they were met by the local Coastguard Rescue Team.
The lifeboat and crew of Bembridge returned to station by 16.30, 3 hours after launching.
Photographs thanks to Portsmouth RNLI
