UPDATED WITH VIDEO: Crew on board Wightlink’s Yarmouth to Lymington car ferry have come to the rescue of 2 people in the water this afternoon (Friday).
The rescue boat from Wight Sky was deployed shortly before 13:30 after the Captain of the car ferry noticed a small boat in difficulty off Yarmouth.
Thanks to the swift actions of Wightlink’s staff members, a man and woman in their 40s have been safely rescued. They have been taken ashore to meet paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service and officers from Needles Coastguard Rescue Team.
Yarmouth RNLI’s lifeboat has launched to recover the 16ft vessel, which has capsized.
UPDATE @ 16:10 – It has been confirmed that the 2 casualties have been taken to St Mary’s Hospital suffering from the effects of hypothermia.
Meanwhile the 16ft boat has been successfully recovered by Yarmouth Lifeboat and no longer poses a hazard to shipping.
It is believed that the capsize was caused when the anchor was dropped and snatched on the sea bed in a strong tide, instantly flipping the boat.
Video thanks to Island Echo reader Ron Dobinson
