Two men thrown into the sea from their 21-foot dinghy by a freak wave were the subject of a rescue on Friday night by the RNLI’s Cowes lifeboat and a Red Funnel Red Jet passenger catamaran.
The incident occurred in Southampton Water, north of the River Hamble entrance.
Spotted by a passing Red Jet
Despite fading light, they were fortuitously spotted by a passing Red Jet, clinging to the sides of the dinghy.
The men subsequently swam clear of the dinghy so that the Red Jet could more easily retrieve them from the water.
Taken to Southampton
After being landed at Southampton’s Town Quay their condition was fully assessed by two members of the lifeboat crew. Also waiting at Town Quay were members of Hillhead coastguards.
Meanwhile the men’s dinghy was taken into Southampton by a local harbour launch.
Cowes lifeboat, which had launched at 5.48pm, returned to station at 7.20pm.
News shared by George on behalf of Cowes RNLI. Ed
