Ferry collision Leads to Lifeboat Search of Cowes Harbour
Cowes RNLI lifeboat, together with two RNLI lifeboats from Calshot, carried out a painstaking search of fog-bound Cowes Harbour this morning, after a Red Funnel car ferry was collided with a yacht before then going aground.
The ferry, the Red Falcon, which had left Southampton at 7 am, ran aground towards the east bank of the harbour, after, Red Funnel stated, it was ‘in collision with several small yachts’.
Joining the three lifeboats in a search were a Southampton Harbour launch and various other craft - with coastguard rescue teams from Bembridge, Ventnor and the Needles maintaining a watch from both sides of the harbour shore.
Cowes lifeboat, which launched at 8.30 am, returned to station at 11.15, 15 minutes after the ferry had been re-floated with the help of Southampton tugs. The tugs then assisted the ferry to its terminal at East Cowes, where MCA surveyors were to make an assessment of the vessel.
Regarding those aboard the Red Falcon, the MCA stated: “All passengers remain safe and well, and will disembark when the vessel is safely alongside.”
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The Red Falcon, aground in the fog-bound harbour, as seen from Cowes.
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RNLI media contact
- George Chastney, Cowes RNLI Volunteer Press Officer 07530 254052/ [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Media Officer (London and South East) 0207 6207425/ 07785 296252/ [email protected]
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