The volunteer crew of Yarmouth RNLI launched their All Weather Lifeboat on Saturday afternoon following a call to Solent Coastguard from a sailing vessel with machinery failure in the Western Solent – the first of 3 shouts for the Island’s RNLI crews over the weekend.
In 22 knots of wind and with 4 children on board, the 40ft yacht ‘Flair IV’ experienced difficulties 1 nautical mile west north west of Yarmouth and had gone to anchor.
On reaching the stricken vessel, 2 RNLI crew members were put aboard to assist with the recovery of the anchor and establish a tow. The casualty was then towed back to Yarmouth and the lifeboat returned to station at approximately 15:30.
Sunday afternoon saw Bembridge RNLI launch at around 16:30 at the request of Solent Coastguard to assist in a search for a kayaker following the possible sighting by a passing yacht of an unmanned kayak and paddles south of Hayling Island.
The search also involved Portsmouth RNLI’s and Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter.
Bembridge’s All Weather Lifeboat carried out a detailed search but having found no sign of a missing person, was released by Solent Coastguard at around 18:30.
To round off a fairly busy weekend, a 30ft yacht went hard aground on the Bramble Bank in the Solent yesterday afternoon prompting assistance from 2 lifeboats, including the RNLI’s Cowes-based Atlantic 85.
Cowes Lifeboat was close by on exercise when the grounding occurred. With the help of Hamble lifeboat, Cowes RNLI eventually took the yacht – which had badly damaged its rudder – under tow.
The boat, with 4 people aboard, was taken to Cowes Yacht Haven.
