Long days night for Lymington RNLI Volunteers
Having already been at sea for over three hours, two consecutive coastguard tasking requests took the crew first to the west and then to the east and ultimately north of the Solent region.
Lymington RNLI Lifeboat called to assist a yacht lost in the fog in the region of Bridge Buoy (Needles Channel)
Having just returned from the second shout of the Father’s Day weekend, Lymington RNLI volunteers aboard Atlantic 85 (B-882) David Bradley were immediately re-tasked at 10.25pm on Sunday 17 June to locate a 10m yacht lost in the fog in the region of the Bridge Buoy (off the Needles Lighthouse).
Re-launching with a change of crew from those involved in the earlier yacht rescue, Lymington RNLI Lifeboat made steady progress in poor (50 – 100m) visibility and a south westerly Force 5/6 breeze at reduced speed towards the yachts last known position.
Here they found the yacht with a total navigation instrument failure and having ascertained that no quick fix was possible escorted the yacht into the relative safety of the Solent suggesting to the two persons onboard that it would be best if they made for the first safe haven (Lymington or Yarmouth) rather than continue their voyage with no instruments.
This suggestion was ignored and the yacht set off under its own power for its ultimate destination of East Cowes disappearing into the fog after only a short time.
Fearing for the safety of the persons onboard in the poor conditions and having already witnessed the yacht proceed towards Black Rock and the Isle of Wight shoreline in a disorientated manner, the Lymington RNLI crew took the decision to escort them all the way home rather than risk another RNLI crew being called during the night in deteriorating conditions to rescue the foolhardy yacht occupants.
Lymington lifeboat arrived into East Cowes at 1am on Monday 18 June handing the yacht crew over to the Coastguard Mobile team from Bembridge before departing for home. Expectation was short lived!
Lymington RNLI Lifeboat called to join search for a yacht with a reported engine fire
Lymington RNLI volunteers aboard Atlantic 85 B-882 David Bradley were returning to station from East Cowes at 1.30am on Monday 18 June when they were diverted to assist both Calshot RNLI crews and the Hill Head Coastguard mobile team in a search for a 14m yacht that had issued a Mayday call reporting an engine fire.
Starting their search off the Hill Head shoreline and using their Direction-Finding equipment the Lymington crew illuminated the area with white parachute flares before identifying the yacht as being off the Weston shore, in the region of the entrance to the River Itchen, at the top of Southampton Water.
Calshot RNLI crew arrived on scene marginally ahead of the Lymington crew at 2.45am and having conducted a joint assessment that the fire was extinguished, the Lymington crew were stood down, allowing them to begin the long passage home.
Lymington lifeboat returned to station shortly before 4am on Monday 18 June having been at sea for just shy of 9 hours albeit with the last crew doing five and half hours.
Notice to Editors:
· For over 50 years, Lymington RNLI Lifeboat has provided search, rescue and lifesaving capability in the western Solent, Needles Channel and eastern sector of Christchurch Bay.
· The RNLI Lifeboat Station open days will be on: Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 August 2018 coinciding with the local food festival being held on the adjacent Bath Road Park.
RNLI Media Contacts:
- Peter Mills, Lymington RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07767 213583 [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 email: [email protected]
· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 email: [email protected]
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
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.