Calshot RNLI respond to Pan-Pan call for help

The stricken vessel was a 44ft sailing vessel which was adrift mid-Solent with total loss of power and with six people on board.

With their engine not working and with very strong winds, the vessel was unable to get into Cowes under sail and needed assistance.

The volunteer lifeboat crew advised the vessel to lower its sails and was then taken under tow and made safe alongside the harbour at Trinity Landing in Cowes.

RNLI helm Pat Weatherhead said: With the wind that strong the only option they had was to use their engine and as this had failed they had no option but to request assistance and by using the Pan-Pan this was the correct action to take.'

Three calls of Pan-Pan are used in radio communications to signify that there is an urgent need for assistance and is similar to a Mayday call. However, whereas a Mayday call is only used in cases of grave and imminent danger to a vessel or persons, repeating a Pan Pan three times says the situation is serious and help is needed, but there isn't a grave and imminent danger to the boat or anyone on board.

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• Joanne Pearson 07780 457731 [email protected]
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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