Cowes RNLI crews were called out 3 times in just a few days last week, rescuing stranded boaters, assisting teenagers in difficulty and helping an unwell man near the River Medina.
The first call came at 23:40 on Wednesday 15th April when crews were tasked by HM Coastguard to assist a single person aboard a 20ft vessel that had run aground south of the Folly Inn.
Launching the Sheena Louise, lifeboat crews quickly located the vessel stuck on the eastern bank. With the tide falling and conditions cold and wet, the casualty was taken off the boat and safely transferred to the Folly Inn pontoon, where Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team were waiting.
Just hours later, at 04:15 on Thursday 16th April, pagers sounded again.
This time, 2 teenagers had become stranded on a pontoon after their dinghy suffered engine failure. One of their mothers raised the alarm after her child failed to return home, with the pair last known to be near the Folly.
Both teenagers were found cold and shaken, having been unable to call for help as their phones had died. They were brought back to safety at Folly harbour before crews returned to recover the dinghy.
The third incident took place on Sunday 19th April at around 10:20, while crews were attending a planned Solent RNLI gathering.
Initially tasked to reports of a person in the water near the Folly, nothing was found. However, crews were then redirected to a pontoon near Kingston Marina where a man had become unwell on his boat.
The casualty was assessed by RNLI volunteers and transferred to waiting ambulance paramedics, alongside Ventnor and Bembridge Coastguard teams. He was taken to St Mary’s Hospital for further treatment.
Cowes Harbour Commission assisted by transporting 2 family members and their pet bearded dragon to the marina so they could follow the casualty.
Following the incidents, crews returned to station and resumed duties.
Myles Hussey, one of the station’s helms, has said:
“Many thanks to our volunteer crew who got out of bed twice on Wednesday night, and left their planned event on Sunday to help those in trouble at sea. This is what we train for and we are glad we could provide assistance where it was needed.”
The RNLI provides a 24-hour search and rescue service around the UK and Ireland and relies on public donations to fund its work.
Glad everyone was safe and well RNLI keep up the good work