Cowes lifeboat assists dismasted Cowes Week racer
A brand new ocean racer had to summon help after its mast broke in a gusty south-westerly between Egypt Point and Gurnard this afternoon.
The 30 foot Acheron, with five men and three women on board, was involved in a Cowes Week race at the time. It could not revert to engine power for fear of trailing rigging becoming entangled in the propeller.
To its aid went Cowes RNLI lifeboat and Hamble lifeboat. The yacht was towed to a buoy off Cowes by Hamble, where Cowes lifeboat member Piers Tyler went aboard to help clear the rigging. Later the yacht was towed to Cowes Yacht Haven by a Cowes Harbour launch.
Cowes lifeboat was launched at 3.08 pm and returned to station at 4.20 pm.
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