Shouts from stationary yacht leads to lifeboat launch
Cries for help from two men aboard a yacht off Calshot beach led to the launching of Cowes lifeboat last Wednesday evening.
Someone on shore told Solent Coastguards that the men were aboard a small red yacht which appeared to be either aground or anchored. The lifeboat, which launched at 7.35 pm, arrived to find the yacht illuminated by a spotlight from a Southampton harbour launch.
The yacht crew were clearly inexperienced, the boat was in a poor condition, had no navigation lights, no safety equipment, and a line - which could be fishing gear - was wrapped around the propeller.
With the knowledge that a cruise ship from Southampton could soon be passing nearby, the lifeboat crew decided lose no time in towing the boat to Trinity Landing, Cowes, where the two men were interviewed by Newport Coastguard. The lifeboat returned to station at 8.50 pm.
Key facts about the RNLI
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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