Luck runs out for two men and their small boat
An eighteen foot sailing boat became a casualty in the Solent today – requiring the assistance of Cowes lifeboat.
The two men aboard the River Medina-based mini-yacht, Sea Witch, not only found that their outboard engine had failed off Egypt Point, but also their anchor could not prevent the boat being swept westwards by the fast-moving tide. UK Coastguards were alerted to their plight by the crew of a motorboat, which stood by until the lifeboat arrived.
The yacht, described by lifeboat helm Mark Harker as being in a ‘poor condition’, and with neither men wearing lifejackets, was towed to the Island Sailing Club pontoon at Cowes.
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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