Well, it was a very interesting weekend, Sea state was Mod-Rough, Vis Good-Mod and wind speed 5-7 occ 8.  This was for both days.

Saturday - Three patrols were put out, the Western Solent was quiet, but to the east, a number of taskings were placed upon other units with mariners getting caught out by variable changes in the atmospherics.

Sunday - SR1 launched at 10 o'clock and re-fuelled in Cowes.  Proceeded on patrol from 10:45.  We placed ourselves in Newtown Creek as it is Central Western Solent and allowed us to gain respite out of Mod-rough wind over tide.

Whilst moored in Newtown, a vessel called on 67 to report engine fire warning light and their fire suppression unit activating.  Upon tasking, SR1 made best speed to the casualty approximately 1 mile due east of Lymington.

SR1 were on scene within 10 minutes, albeit, rather soggy.  A side by side tow was established and the vessel was towed into Lymingtom where they were met by the Lymington CG mobile unit.

As a precautionary measure, the Fire Brigade were requested to attend to ensure the vessel was in no threat of combustion.  Luckily there was no obvious signs of the fire spreading and SR1 was released.

We then proceeded to return to station.

Upon arriving at Gull Island, we were called up by SCG to a report that a windsurfing board and sail had washed up on the Beaulieu northern river bank.  SR-1 in conjunction with Solent Coastguard, patrolled inshore as close as possible along the mudflats looking for a person in the water.  After a number of minutes, Sr1 was stood down as the wind surfer had apparently made it safely ashore.

SR1 recovered to trailer as unable to stabilise mooring due to anchor drag.

All crew did exceptionally well and we even got a can of a soft drink off the owner!


...... Except for Mr Lee who broke the mains water pipe whilst putting the tender away.  We've all been there mate, just happens you were the first one!! ;)

P.S.  You owe Mick Pintage for his repair!!

Weather conditions on the Saturday were a very good test of the new jet set up as sea states varied from moderate to rough in conjunction with force 5-7 wind.  No incidents were reported in the Western Solent.

Unfortunately our Sunday crew were unable to attend the unit due to a slight mechanical failure on the way in....  New cars.... hmmm.

With changeable weather forecast for the weekend Solent Rescue One completed a series of 7 active patrols.

Saturday passed with no incident, Sunday however resulted in a tasking from HMCG to a crew of a small racing dinghy becoming exhausted off East Lepe Buoy.

Upon arrival in the vicinity, a brief search resulted in no vessel found and upon further comms, it transpired that the vessel may have made it ashore.  SR1 continued to the recovery scene to ensure all persons were ok.  This done, the vessel returned to station.

Sunday provided by far the best test of the new vessel set up and she passed with flying colours.

With Lepe Country Park laying it's gates open for the 65th Anniversary of the D-Day landings, Solent Rescue provided first-aid and safety cover for the two day event.

The main vessel actively patrolled on the Saturday and a launch upon request readiness was put in place for the Sunday, this was to ensure that maximum first aid cover could be provided to the D-Day event for both days and a maritime response was still an option for the Coastguard.

The Saturday resulted in a number of minor first aid shouts and one that required a member of the re-enactment troop to be taken to hospital after getting a little bit too much into character.  Luckily, not being too badly injured, he came back on the Sunday for the second assault (a much wetter affair for the Americans).

Sunday was a quieter affair in comparison to Saturday regarding incidents but the park was filled to the brim with vehicles, period dressed enthusiasts and members of the general public whom all had a good time in the glorious weather.  Our tractor got into the thick of it as a Bren gun half track broke down and required a tow back to its transporter, an orange tractor pulling such a vehicle is not something you see every day!

With the success of the weekend, Solent Rescue are looking forward to next years activities, no doubt bigger and better than before!

Pictures are to follow....