Calshot RNLI training exercise turns into response to emergency mayday
On Sunday 11 November during training exercises Calshot RNLI were tasked to a mayday call from a racing yacht from which a person had been washed overboard. This was the third incident on Solent water the volunteer crew had attended to that morning.
It was made from a racing yacht just off Cowes, Isle of Wight. A person onboard the vessel had been washed overboard and was in the water.
Calshot RNLI's Atlantic 85 Lifeboat 'Max Walls' was quickly diverted to attend to the incident. On arrival Calshot crew were able to recover the person from the water and return them to the yacht.
One of Calshot's casualty care-trained volunteers Graham Burgess was able to assess the casualty for injury. The person was unharmed, but extremely cold. Due to the risks from exposure to the cold water conditions, Graham remained on board with the casualty and the lifeboat crew escorted the yacht back to Hamble Point Marina.
The casualty was able to change into warm clothes and had access to a warm shower. Once happy their assistance was no longer required, the crew returned to Calshot Lifeboat Station where the boats were washed down, refuelled and made ready for service.
This was the third shout for Calshot RNLI during their morning's training. The volunteer crew were tasked initially to a missing person who was reported to have entered the water. Calshot RNLI teamed up with Hillhead Coastguard Rescue Team, Southampton Coastguard Rescue Team, Hamble Lifeboat, NPSA Bournemouth Police Helicopter, and Southampton Police to conduct the search. A full search of the River Itchen was initiated, the missing person was located and all teams stood down.
Calshot RNLI's second task was to a broken down fishing vessel just outside Southampton Docks. On attendance, the persons on board the boat had managed to restart the engine and were able to proceed on their way.
Ends
Media Contacts
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Laura Bean, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Office 07772 529985 [email protected]
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Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, London and South East 07785 296252 [email protected]
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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.
Learn more about the RNLIFor more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiriesMembers of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 or by email.
The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.
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.