What was meant to be just a training exercise in boat-towing for Cowes RNLI became the real thing yesterday evening (Sunday) when they were tasked to go to the aid of a grounded 16ft speedboat.
The speedboat, with 2 young men aboard, had broken down and gone aground on shingle off Hillhead and was in danger of drifting helplessly in the choppy Solent when it floated free.
Solent Coastguard were alerted to the problem at around 20:00 by the Hillhead Coastguard Rescue team.
The 2 men were eventually transferred to the lifeboat and lifeboat crew member Dominic Brown went aboard the speedboat as it was towed into deeper water and taken on to Hamble.
Lifeboat helm Mark Harker said:
“I am sure the training became even more useful with this real-life ‘shout’”.
