Three people were rescued by Cowes RNLI during the early hours of this morning (Thursday) when they tried to row across the Solent on a speedboat using nothing but a kayaking paddle.
Cowes RNLI were tasked to launch by Solent Coastguard at 05:00 following reports that a speedboat had broken down at the entrance to Cowes Harbour with three persons on board. Launching just 10 minutes later, the volunteer lifeboat crew were soon on scene on the River Medina where it was discovered the trio could not get the boat’s engine started so decided to try rowing across the busy shipping lanes to Calshot using a paddle.
Making no progress and ill equipped with no VHF radio or flares, a tow line was established and Cowes Lifeboat took the casualty vessel to Town Quay near the Red Jet terminal, where members of Newport Coastguard rendezvoused with the three would-be sailors and safety advice was given.
