Yarmouth RNLI’s all weather lifeboat battled gale force winds and rough seas after being tasked to reports of a boat drifting in the Solent this afternoon (Friday).
The Severn class lifeboat, Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer), launched shortly after 14:20 and made best speed to the area South West of Bramble Bank off Cowes.
While on route, the volunteer crew established that the vessel they were searching for was a 24 foot cabin cruiser.
Initially, hampered by poor visibility, the lifeboat crew struggled to locate the vessel that had travelled east on the flooding tide. The drifting motorboat was eventually located close to the shore at Lee-on-Solent.
The all weather lifeboat transferred a crew member to the stricken vessel to assess the situation, they found no one on board, and a tow was established to take the boat to safety.
With rough seas of up to a 4 metre swell, it was not possible to tow the casualty into a flooding tide against a gale force south westerly. Based on the weather conditions, it was decided that Portsmouth was the nearest safe harbour and the cabin cruiser was brought safely alongside in Haslar Marina.
HM Coastguard was able to make contact with the owner it’s understood that there was no one on board when the boat – believed to be from Cowes – had broken free of her mooring.
Yarmouth lifeboat returned to her berth and was ready for service at 17:05.
Well done yet again, Howard and team face the elements to help others, much appreciated, always ready no matter what, volunteering to save others.Take care and continue to stay safe