You would think that during the winter season, activity in Solent Rescue would ease.....

Not a chance!

All crew have been working on projects to ensure the coming SAR season is as well prepared for as can be.

Thank you!

We would like to thank a few people who we have been in constant communication with. 

Shall we start with John Lewis?  I think we should!  A big thank you regarding a number of key activities, your input was vital to get the projects on track.

Lollies for Lolly, thank you Sue, your continual support is instrumental in allowing us to continue to enhance our service.  Mum's the word at the moment, more juicy information to follow in the future.

Even though not on for SAR (officially)

During the times we have been down there already this year, we have involved in a number of incidents where we could be of assistance.  Nothing so serious as to require the call to gain additional SAR resources, but still it's good to help.

Stay tuned for more updates as we are allowed to release them!

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Solent Rescue 1 was afloat and completed two active patrols of the Western Solent.

Solent Rescue 2 & three, being prop driven spent the morning in the Beaulieu completing training for new crew.

Solent Rescue closed down without incident.

Saturday

We launched on patrol in the West, heavy sea conditions with a suspected force 7 on the BF scale resulted in an inability to anchor.

Therefore, the vessel stayed at sea all day, mooring up for respite occasionally.

Vessel was recovered with no incidents being reported.

Sunday

Much of the same, vessel went to Cowes to refuel, then went on patrol, we were raised by Cowes RNLI who were doing a training exercise on locating vessels, we provided them with our Lat and Long and proceeded on our course.  They then aimed to locate us.... and did.

Patrol was completed and we returned to Lepe.

The shoreline was extremely busy with wind and kite surfers so crew launched the 5.4m avon sea rider to ensure they could cover this additional situation.

All vessels were recovered without incident and everyone was out of the water before we shut down.

Saturday

Solent Rescue launched on patrol and instantly became involved in an incident regarding a broken down Jet Ski.

Arrived on scene alongside Hamble lifeboat, Hamble took the vessel in tow back to Calshot.

SR1 proceeded on two patrols of the Western Solent before recovering for the day.

On shore crew completed maintenance on non-essential equipment.

Sunday

Launched SR1 and two, then proceeded on a patrol.

Upon returning to station, Solent Rescue 1 was tasked to a yacht with engine failure.  SR1 were quickly on scene with a vessel which we presumed to be the casualty just off Lepe whose crew were waving.  It wasn’t.

SR1 informed the coast guard, Hamble lifeboat were then tasked to the area as it now appeared two vessels had propulsion failure, supposedly off Lepe.

Solent Coastguard, with the aid of Needles mobile unit then ascertained that the first casualty was, in fact off Gurnard and the skipper had become confused.

With this cleared up Solent Coastguard rapidly zero’d Hamble lifeboat in on the Gurnard casualty.

Solent Rescue took the Lepe vessel in tow and headed towards their port of origin, as luck would have it, HAMBLE!

Just before entering, Hamble lifeboat came along side and the tow was passed to them, allowing us to return out to the West and Hamble, who were going that way anyway to return to station.

Many thanks lads, we managed to get back to Lepe before our tender grounded!

SR1 stayed on station for the day whilst crew trained awaiting their next tasking.

None came and we shut down for the weekend

Additional information:

Camera shy Mick put his first aid skills to good use this past Thursday.  Whilst helping a friend clear a garden, a wasp’s nest was disturbed when lifting a concrete slab.  Within minutes his friend had received over 40 stings and his condition rapidly deteriorated and soon collapsed going into anaphylactic shock.

Mick put him in the recover position, assessed correctly what had happened and that he needed adrenaline.

Mick quickly ascertained that he could get to a hospital much quicker than an ambulance and proceeded to get him there within 10 minutes.

The hospital praised his actions as they are certain the gentleman in question would have been dead within half an hour.

WELL DONE MICK – We think he owes you a pint!

What is it about dramatic situations being like buses?  You sit around for ages, then two come along at once!

Ian has had his call sign changed to “The Silver Surfer”.

Mick is now “Stinger”.