Calshot RNLI Lifeboat tasked to Red Funnel ferry collision
At 4.40pm on Saturday 29 September, Calshot RNLI's volunteer crew launched its Atlantic 85 lifeboat to a collision between a 31ft motor yacht and Red Funnel's 'Red Falcon' car ferry.
On arrival at the scene, Calshot RNLI crew boarded the motor yacht to assess the three casualties on board and the damage to the boat.
One casualty had sustained an injury to the head and another had wounds from broken glass to their hand. The vessel itself had sustained structural damage and partial engine failure.
Once the lifeboat crew had assessed the situation and casualties were stable, they were able to the escort the yacht to Cowes under its own steam.
On arrival into Cowes they were met by HM Ventnor Coastguard and the Isle of Wight ambulance services who were able to take over from there.
A spokesperson from Red Funnel confirmed that there had been no damage to the ferry and no injuries to passengers on board.
It is unclear as yet as to how the incident occurred and an investigation has been launched. This comes just days after Calshot RNLI launched to another incident involving a Red Funnel car ferry where the ferry had collided with moored vessels as it left Cowes, no persons had been injured.
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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 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.