Thanks to George for this latest news from Cowes RNLI. Ed
A Newport fisherman whose small boat was crippled by a rope around the propeller last night was helped to safety by Cowes RNLI lifeboat.
The man, alone aboard the 15 foot Little Pig off East Cowes, told Solent Coastguards soon after 9 pm that his anchor rope had caught around the propeller.
When he leaned over the stern to try to deal with the problem, because of the strong tidal conditions the boat kept taking on an undue amount of water.
Lifeboat raced to the scene
The lifeboat, helmed by Richard O’Callaghan, raced to the scene. With Matt Floyd left at the controls of the lifeboat, Richard went aboard the fishing boat and managed to cut the rope and free the propeller.
Escorted by the lifeboat, the fishing boat, still with Richard aboard, then proceeded under its own power back to the more sheltered waters of the River Medina and then on to the boat’s mooring at the Folly.
The lifeboat returned to its berth at Shepards Wharf at 10.40 pm.
