6th - 7th June 2009

With the Western Solent being busy with a number of races, the lookout kept observations on a number of minor incidents off the northern coast of the Isle of Wight.

Small racing dinghies kept us busy but all were self righted with the aid of their own safety boats so no need for any intervention by any additional rescue resource.

Unfortunately for one group of mariners, a call was raised by our station where upon a bilge keeled sailing yacht got into difficulty directly infront of our lookout.  Our senior coxswain and additional crew members entered the water to gain direct comms with the casualty as well as attach a tow from the independent Hamble Lifeboat.

Even though the Hamble Lifeboat was on scene within minutes of the original call, due to the shallow nature of Lepe as well as the fact that it was a bilge keel, the decision was made to abort a refloat to prevent any damage to the vessel.

Our smaller vessel was then used to ferry non-essential crew ashore whilst the waterborne crew set about setting a ketch anchor in order to prevent the vessel moving further up the beach on the next high tide.

We made hot drinks and then drove some of the crew home.

On the Sunday, essential maintenance to our launch equipment began, this will continue during the coming week to ensure SR1 is ready for the next active service window.