Two lifeboats stand by grounded motorboat
A motorboat with two people aboard that had gone hard aground on the shore of the Beaulieu River led to Cowes RNLI lifeboat making a cross-Solent trip yesterday (Saturday) evening, having launched at 5.36 pm.
With the motorboat coming to grief at the mouth of the river on a receding tide, the four lifeboat crew members knew they were in for a long wait for the tide to change and refloat the craft. During the wait they were also joined by Calshot lifeboat.
With concern that the motorboat crew could suffer from dehydration in the blistering heat, two members of the Calshot lifeboat approached on foot to pass over bottled water.
As motorboat began to refloat on the tide, with no damage perceived to its hull, both lifeboat were eventually stood down, and Cowes lifeboat returned to station at 7.18 pm.
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.