A 26ft yacht with engine failure and steering issues ran aground on rocks near Thorness Bay earlier this week (Monday), prompting a multi-agency rescue involving Cowes RNLI, Calshot RNLI and Coastguard teams from Ventnor and The Needles.
Cowes RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Sheena Louise was launched following a request from HM Coastguard. On arrival, the crew found the yacht aground and listing heavily with one person on board. Due to the low tide, lifeboat crews were unable to reach the casualty, but a welfare check confirmed the skipper was uninjured, though very cold.
Cowes crew requested a smaller lifeboat to assist, and Calshot RNLI’s D-class lifeboat was tasked to the scene. Coastguard Rescue Teams from The Needles and Ventnor also attended by land. With the yacht still fast on the rocks and temperatures falling, the decision was made to remove the skipper from the vessel. Calshot’s crew transferred him to Sheena Louise, where he was taken back to Cowes and met by ambulance crews.
After nearly 2 hours in the cold, the Cowes RNLI crew was stood down and replaced at 18:50. The new crew returned to the scene to assist Calshot RNLI with securing an anchor to the stricken yacht, ensuring it remained in place overnight.
This incident marked the first call-out for newly qualified Cowes RNLI crew member Jay, who recently achieved ‘safe to go on service’ status.
The yacht was later recovered and safely returned to Cowes by Cowes Harbour Commission on Tuesday morning.
Libby Finch, helm of the first Cowes RNLI crew on scene, has said:
“The skipper did the right thing calling for help. We are always happy to assist those in trouble, and on the coldest night of the year we were glad to be able to bring him safely back to Cowes.
Article continues below this advertisement “If you get into trouble don’t hesitate to call at the earliest opportunity – 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
Why was he even out in the bad weather, these people are so selfish as they put the RNLI people’s lives at risk. Well done to all involved in his rescue.
Such numpties should pay for the call out.
You really are such a tw*t.