Saturday started with a little bit of additional maintenance, with Trevor merrily grumbling away updating the bilge pump system.  Once this was complete, SR1 completed two active patrols within the Western Solent.   

Even with the density of mariners out enjoying the fine weather and steady breeze, there were no sea based requests for assistance but once again the first aid station was busy, one for a missing child who had decided to walk off from the play area, our shore based crew member found him almost down at the WWII historical remains. 

On a lighter note, we would like to thank the Lymington branch of the Coastguard Association for inviting us to their BBQ evening on Saturday, a good time was had by all.  I hope we weren’t too raucous to not be invited back next year! 

Sunday was again another quiet day on the waters in the west and our lookout kept watch over a number of incidents which luckily did not require any additional SAR resource. 

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.

In preparation for the expected increase of people enjoying the fine weather upon the waters of the Western Solent and Lepe Country Park, Solent Rescue geared up for a busy bank holiday weekend.

Crew were arranged to ensure that a boat crew was either afloat on patrol or on mooring listening 0.

We observed a significantly larger than normal volume of vessels traversing the waterways but the number of call outs were minimal.

Even with the tidal streams being at the height of springs, no-one appeared to be getting themselves into a pickle.

We used the time to patrol our area and re-familiarise crew with boat and rope handling whilst upon the vessel.

I'd like to take this time to give a special thanks to a few crew members.  Firstly, Trevor, many thanks for the recalibration of the Castoldi, it's good to have someone who is becoming our jet technician.

Also, Mick, well done on pulling a three day crew roster, this allowed the coxswains to operate with confidence upon the water.

Plus a congratulations to Damien for notching up his first boat to trailer recovery at the helm, apologies for my little irish jig whilst waiting for you to plonk her on.

Well that's about it, back on service this coming weekend, I believe Mick and myself may be pulling the double.