Cowes lifeboat involved in shipping lane drama
Concern that a crippled yacht could be in the path of a cruise liner gave Cowes RNLI lifeboat and even more urgent reason to go to its aid this (Thurs) evening.
While the lifeboat was on exercise in the Solent it was alerted at 7.45 pm by coastguards that a 20-foot yacht had suffered a steering failure in the shipping channel near North-East Gurnard Buoy.
After ensuring that a Southampton Harbour patrol launch in the area warned an approaching cruise ship about the yacht the lifeboat eventually began an alongside tow to Cowes; meanwhile the harbour launch provided an escort to reduce the wake in what were lively sea conditions.
The yacht, with four people on board, was duly delivered to Trinity Landing, and the lifeboat returned to station at 8.45 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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For 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 enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.