LITTLE BRITAIN CHALLENGE CUP - 16th - 19th September 2010

In conjunction with the Little Britain Challenge Cup, Solent Rescue provided full safety cover for the three days of events beginning Thursday 16^th September and ending Saturday 18^th.

This consisted of over 100 yachts in over 40 individual races, from Pilot Cutters to J109’s and sunsail 40.7’s.

The racing was mainly relaxed but during certain intense periods heavy jostling, a little bumping & grinding, intensive nip & tucks and the odd bit of buoy battering took place.

For the event, we were afloat from 09:00 until 17:00.  The only potentially serious incident was a MOB on the start line of the very first race!!!  But he was pulled out in less than two minutes by the Seadogz RIB crewed by Solent Rescue regulars. 

Apart from that, the event passed without any other major incidents for all competitors.

The only points of action we had to step in on or keep under observation were;

Assisting in making a few racers aware of a cross Solent swimmer just off Egypt Point.  They already had their own support vessel and a small rescue rib from Venturers with them, but it was getting rather congested and 2 minutes of us sitting there with the lights on helped to ensure all competitors saw the chap in the water.

We also kept a close eye on a few racers who had gotten a little too close to Lepe Spit, but managed to come off under their own sail.

However, at the end of Saturdays racing, a vessel who was not a part of the LBCC activities called up a Pan Pan and gave their position as Brambles Bank.  We were just south of the bank at this time, informed the Coastguard and were asked to also proceed along with Hamble Lifeboat (our sister station).

Arriving at the position given, there was no sign of the casualty, Hamble informed the Coastguard, and an updated position was given, 1 mile south of the bank at Castle Point.  We both then proceeded there, still no sign of the casualty.  Hamble then spoke directly to the casualty and it turned out they were more towards North Ryde Middle.  We both proceeded there.

Casualty located, Hamble took in tow and we went and cleared a berth in Cowes for them to set up for the night. 

After pretty much all the crew being involved in the activities, some preventative maintenance being necessary and discretion being the better part of valour, Solent Rescue One was taken off Service for the Sunday in order to get the work done and ready for the next weekends service.

Even so, the lookout was still open and first aid was provided in the country park.

I’d just like to say a big thanks to all the crew for working so hard and taking time off work to help us provide a quality service for so many yacht crews and we hope all the competitors had a great time also.  From our perspective, the event was a complete success.  WELL DONE ALL.