Disrupted Easter Sunday evening for Lymington RNLI lifeboat crew
The volunteers of Lymington RNLI were called just after 9.30pm on Easter Sunday evening 22 April 22, 2019 to rescue a 5.2m RIB that had reported by mobile phone to the Coastguard that they had suffered engine failure in the Hurst Narrows approaching Colwell Bay.
Launching the Relief Fleet Atlantic 85 lifeboat B-883 Roy Snewin, the lifeboat crew made quick progress in the calm sea and now falling temperature to the vessels last known position in the Hurst Narrows approach to Colwell Bay.
Having ascertained that the vessel was no longer in its reported position and with the flood tide building, a down tide search found the vessel with two cold inappropriately clad crew drifting mid Solent off the Hampstead (IOW) shoreline some 2 miles to the East.
A tow was established to bring the vessel which had no VHF Radio, No flares and only limited navigation lights back into Lymington.
Lymington lifeboat returned to station to be refuelled and readied for further service shorty before midnight.
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.
· This was the first Lymington call for Relief Fleet Atlantic 85 lifeboat B-883 Roy Snewin which is currently on station whilst our own boat B-882 David Bradley is away for its five year refit.
· The Lymington RNLI Lifeboat Station open days will be on: Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August 2019 coinciding with the Sea 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.