Two lifeboats go to aid of crippled catamaran

The 48-foot craft, with three men and a woman aboard, had been due to sail from Hamble to East Cowes when it lost its steering. First on the scene, off Lepe Spit, was the Cowes Atlantic 85 lifeboat, but because of the catamaran’s size it was decided it would be prudent to call on Yarmouth’s all-weather lifeboat to take over the tow.

Although initially the plan was to return the craft to Hamble, it was decided it would be better for Yarmouth lifeboat to deliver it to Trinity Landing, Cowes. There it was met not only by Cowes lifeboat shore crew but also Needles Coastguards.

Cowes lifeboat, which had launched just after 6 pm, returned to station just over an hour later.

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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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