Lymington RNLI paged to assist a dinghy in difficulty on the marshes
On the 22 Sept at 4.41pm HM Coastguard requested Lymington lifeboat launch to an inflatable dinghy after a 999 call was received.
The station's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat B-882 David Bradley launched in fair weather conditions a SW F5. Under the helm of John Husband the lifeboat headed towards Mount Lake near Keyhaven. Keyhaven is positioned in the West part of the Solent behind Hurst Spit.
The tide was high with a strong ebb. The lifeboat quickly found the inflatable dinghy with three people onboard and it was clear the dinghy had engine failure and they were unable to row against the wind and tide.
The helm John Husband placed two crew members into the water to walk out to the marsh, given the lifeboat was unable to reach the dinghy due the tide. The lifeboat crew members carried out checks to ensure the casualties were not suffering from any injuries or hypothermia. They then proceeded to pull the dinghy across the marsh towards the lifeboat, where the crew established a tow with the dinghy and took them to Fishermen Quay in Keyhaven.
The lifeboat returned to the station refuelled and was prepared ready for service again at 6pm.
The helm John Husband said 'that the people on board the dinghy did the right thing with staying in the boat and not trying to walk across the marshes, because it is easy to get into trouble.'
Suzanne Brown, Lifeboat Press Officer, Lymington Lifeboat Station (07711) 393910 [email protected]
Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, SE and London (07785) 296252 [email protected]
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