Veteran motorboat gets welcome tow back to port
An immaculate 45-year-old motor boat that had engine trouble in the Solent today was eventually towed to Cowes by the local RNLI lifeboat.
The boat, the 27-foot Mikaela, sailed by a mature couple, had originally suffered engine failure in the shipping channel. However, another craft towed it to the safer waters of Osborne Bay, to anchor and await the arrival of the lifeboat.
After the lifeboat helm Mark Harker transferred crew member Chris Adams to the motorboat it was towed to Trinity Landing, Cowes, where it was to rendezvous with the Sea Start marine breakdown service.
Mark said later “Despite its age, the Mikaela was in an excellent condition apart from with the engine problem and an unreliable radio.”
The lifeboat had launched at 11.58 am and returned to station at 12.40 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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.