Mudeford RNLI volunteers rescue two people from a sinking boat

The crew were stationed in the water just off the Needles to provide safety cover for the race, when they were tasked by Solent Coastguard to assist the Alchemist which was reported to be taking on water in Scratchell's bay south of the Isle of Wight.

On arrival, the volunteer crew found two crew on board the stricken vessel. One RNLI crew member was placed aboard with a water pump, but it quickly became clear the vessel was already too low in the water.

The lifeboat crew quickly pulled the two remaining crew members from the boat just before it sank completely. The RNLI crewman was immediately recovered from the water.

The casualties were transferred to a nearby police vessel, which had already taken four other crew off the sinking craft.

Earlier in the day the crew were alerted to a catamaran that had lost its mast. RNLI volunteers took the vessel under tow to shelter, before passing the tow to a support RIB.

Media contacts
For more information please contact Nick Watts, Mudeford RNLI deputy lifeboat press officer on 07976 841987 or email [email protected].

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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