George shares this latest news from RNLI Cowes. Ed
A yacht that suffered a complete night-time power failure in the Solent’s shipping lane led to the urgent launching of Cowes RNLI lifeboat.
The 26 foot Iszare had suffered the potentially dangerous break-down between Osborne Bay and Fishbourne, near Peel Bank, on Saturday evening.
No power
The lone sailor aboard found he had no power, lights or VHF radio after several abortive attempts to start the boat’s engine.
The man, who had been sailing from Southampton to Hayling Island, anxiously alerted HM Coastguards of his plight via his mobile phone.
Drifting into shipping lane
News of an unlit yacht drifting in the shipping lane particularly concerned Southampton’s port authority because of the impending arrival in the area of a large ship.
The lifeboat launched at 8pm and managed to locate the yacht through lifeboat crew member Anne Simkin picking out its silhouette against the illuminated Ryde Pier further to the east.
After the yacht was towed to Trinity Landing, Cowes, the lifeboat returned to station at 9.15pm.
Image: © With kind permission of Nick Edwards
