Cowes RNLI multi agency effort saves couples home at sea and injured sailor

Pagers sounded at 4.50am as the crew were tasked to assist a vessel with two people on board that had gone aground in Osborne Bay. The couple had anchored their vessel overnight, but unfortunately the anchor had dragged, and the wind pushed them ashore on a falling tide. With all necessary safety equipment and radios on board, they were able to put out a pan pan distress alert, and call the Coastguard for assistance.

The RNLI crew launched the Sheena Louise and swiftly made their way across. Upon assessing the situation, the decision was made that on a falling tide it was safest to transfer them off the vessel and safely back to Cowes to await the rising tide. The lifeboat crew returned to station, washed down the lifeboat and made it ready for service.

Later that day, some of the volunteer crew returned to support the couple in recovering their boat. Off-duty crew, with help from the Cowes Harbour Commission and UKSA, were able to refloat the boat on the rising tide and sail it back to Cowes to get checked over for damage.

Helm Josh said: “The boat’s crew did the right thing today. They were well prepared, but unfortunately, conditions changed and they ended up close to shore. It was great work by our crew at Cowes getting them off to a place of safety. When we found out the vessel was their home, it felt only right to help them as much as we could. Thanks to all our off-duty crew at Cowes RNLI, the Cowes Harbour Commission, Cowes Harbour Master, and UKSA, for their help in getting the boat back afloat.”

Pagers sounded again at 5.45pm that evening, to reports of a man on a 37ft yacht with a serious injury to his hand. The Cowes crew launched the lifeboat and headed out in rough seas, with strong winds and rolling waves. Yarmouth RNLI and a search and rescue helicopter also responded, and were able to transfer a paramedic onto the casualty vessel for initial treatment.

Upon arrival, Cowes RNLI transferred both the casualty and paramedic safely to Yarmouth Harbour where they were met by Needles Coastguard Rescue Team. The man was handed into the care of a waiting ambulance. In the meantime, Yarmouth RNLI recovered the vessel safely into the harbour.

The Cowes crew returned to station at 8.15pm, washed down the boat, and made it ready for service.

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RNLI media contacts

• 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.