A yacht suffering with total power failure has been towed into Cowes by the town’s RNLI lifeboat tonight (Saturday).
Cowes RNLI was tasked to launch at 19:47 to assist the 26ft yacht ‘Iszare’ that had no engine, lights or VHF radio and was in the main shipping channel between Osborne Bay and Fishbourne, near Peel Bank.
Thankfully, the 1 person on board the vessel had a mobile phone and was able to raise the alarm with Solent Coastguard.
News of an unlit yacht drifting in the shipping lane particularly concerned Southampton’s port authority because of the impending arrival in the area of a large ship.
Once close by, Cowes lifeboat was able to talk to the owner by virtue of the Coastguard making a connect call, which enables the lifeboat to speak on its marine VHF direct to the yacht’s skipper’s mobile phone. Lifeboat crew member Anne Simkin picked out the vessel’s silhouette against the illuminated Ryde Pier further to the east.
The yacht has been towed to safety.
The lifeboat was recovered to station by 21:25.
