Buoy entangled yacht towed into Cowes
A 28-foot yacht that became entangled in a marker buoy on Saturday afternoon was eventually towed into Cowes by the local RNLI lifeboat.
The marker buoy was to the west of the Royal Yacht Squadron.
Initially, after being freed of the buoy the yacht, with two persons aboard, was taken in tow by a training yacht from the United Kingdom Sailing Academy. But because of the very strong west-going tide the RNLI’s more powerful twin-engined boat proved more effective for the task.
An alongside tow by the lifeboat ended at Shepards Marina, where the yacht was to be lifted out of the water for an inspection of the damaged rudder. Also in attendance onshore was an Island-based coastguard team.
The lifeboat launched at 2.43 pm and returned to station nearly an hour later.
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.