Yarmouth and Cowes RNLI assist yacht aground in shallow waters

The casualty vessel put out a mayday distress call after hitting a ledge which saw Cowes inshore lifeboat, ‘Sheena Louise’, tasked first at 11am. However, with the yacht stuck in shallow water, Cowes RNLI crew were unable to get close enough to assess the yacht and requested the assistance of Yarmouth’s all-weather lifeboat, ‘Eric and Susan Hiscock - Wanderer’, so that they could deploy their smaller Y-class boat.

The Y-boat transferred three of the five crew from the casualty yacht on to the Cowes lifeboat to be taken back to Cowes. Yarmouth and Cowes crews then worked together to deploy the casualty vessel’s anchor out to help the yacht stay steady as the water rose.

Yarmouth RNLI made passage back to their berth in Yarmouth Harbour and after their post recovery checks, the lifeboat was marked as ready for service shortly after 3pm.

Cowes RNLI returned to station at 3pm with the three casualties on board, where they were met by members of the Needles Coastguard Rescue team. At 4.30pm, they were paged again and launched to reassess the yacht, which was still aground with a 30 degree list.

With more water than the first launch, a crew member was able to come aboard to check the welfare of the last two casualties and look for water ingress. The decision was made to put a tow line on the vessel to stop them drifting closer to shore.

Around 6.45pm, the vessel started to float. With the engine now running and the emergency tiller rigged, the yacht started to creep towards the lifeboat and deeper water. The anchor was recovered and the lifeboat escorted the yacht back to Trinity Landing where they were met by Cowes RNLI shore crew at approximately 8.15pm.

Yarmouth RNLI’s full time mechanic, Richard Gregory-Pimm, said: ‘The crew onboard the casualty vessel did the right thing calling for assistance. No one goes to sea and expects to be rescued and unfortunately, it is very easy to be caught out by the falling and rising tides. It’s always a proud moment to see firsthand the teamwork between flanking lifeboat stations during shouts like this. It perfectly demonstrates the onecrew initiative working together for the best and safest outcome.’

Cowes RNLI helm, Myles Hussey, said: ‘We are happy we were able to work with Yarmouth RNLI to make the yacht and its crew secure. This incident truly shows the value of working, and training, together with stations in the Solent, and the ability to deploy a variety of lifesaving assets. The crew did a great job – special recognition to Simon Banks, who recently qualified as boat crew at Cowes RNLI and whose first shout this was.’

Thanks also to Cowes Harbour Commission and Sea Start for their help throughout the day.

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RNLI media contacts

• Hebe Gregory-Pimm, Yarmouth RNLI Volunteer Press Officer 07581 395138, [email protected]

• Sofia Voudouroglou, Cowes RNLI Volunteer Press Officer 07594051372/ [email protected]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789.

About Cowes RNLI Station

Cowes Lifeboat Station is converted from a former HM Customs Watch House, the rear of which is 300 years old. It looks out onto one of the world’s busiest shipping waterways and carries out a range of interesting services every year. It is the only station to be opened by Queen Elizabeth II.

About Yarmouth RNLI Station

Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer) came into service in 2001, prior to that Yarmouth RNLI had an Arun Class Lifeboat 52-08 Joy and John Wade which was in service for 23 years. 2025 marks Yarmouth Station's 101st year in service.