Crew and passengers on board Wightlink’s Victoria of Wight played their part in the successful rescue of a teenage boy who was being swept out to sea in Portsmouth on Monday evening.
At around 18:45, the Queen’s Harbour Master issued an urgent alert to vessels in the vicinity of Portsmouth Harbour amid reports that a boy was in trouble nearby.
Within a few moments, both crew members and passengers travelling on Wightlink’s Fishbourne-Portsmouth route heard the teen’s cries for help as they approached the Portsmouth Gunwharf ferry terminal. Without hesitation, Captain Dave Booker sounded the ship’s horn to alert others to the sighting.
Thankfully, the youngster was successfully plucked from the sea by a fishing boat before being transferred onto a Police launch. He was subsequently checked over by paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service.
The swift actions of those on board the 18:00 sailing from Fishbourne, as well as the fishermen and Police, meant the boy was in safe hands prior to the launch of local lifeboats. Solent Coastguard received more than 20x 999 calls about the incident.
If you or someone else is in difficulty on the coast or at sea, or if you spot what you think may be unexploded ordnance, then dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Further safety information can be found at https://coastguardsafety.campaign.gov.uk/.
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Great job! Well done to all involved.
The maritime community is one of the few remaining that you can be assured to pull together and react in a professional manner.
Yep. I held up just off Gosport keeping an ear as the boat I was helming was both quick and shallow draught to get in if needs be. Quite a few boats stood by just in case. The fishing boat didn’t mess around. Well done to those on board.
I often think the RNLI should run the country. They are experts, efficient, focus on training, and work to prevent crises, but best of all swift to help anyone without judging. We trust them.