2 men and a boy on a fishing expedition in the Solent caught more than they bargained for yesterday (Saturday), resulting in their motorboat having to be towed to safety by Cowes RNLI lifeboat.
Their 6m boat not only had problems with the engine but also began to drift and take on water at the stern. To add to the trio’s concerns, 1 of their number had diabetes and carried no medication.
The lifeboat launched just after 16:00 and found the drifting boat near Norris Buoy, east of Cowes Harbour. The diabetes sufferer was given glucose and the boat was towed to Trinity Landing.
A trainee helm, Annie Simkin, was at the controls under the supervision of Mark Harker. The lifeboat returned to station at 17:10.
Hamble lifeboat, which also responded to the emergency, towed the boat across to the River Itchen in Hampshire.
