This in from George, in his own words. Ed
Separate calls for help from boats in the Solent lead to Cowes RNLI lifeboat being launched twice within five hours yesterday.
The first alert came when Solent Coastguards were told that the fishing boat Sea Monkey, with two men aboard, had broken down with engine trouble near West Ryde Middle buoy. The lifeboat was launched to go to its aid at 2.45pm.
Angler: “Very grateful for the assistance”
After the boat had been towed to Clarence Yard, East Cowes one of the anglers, David Bonham, said:
“Although we were catching loads of fish we decided to move to Norris Buoy because the sea was cutting up. It was then we found we could not make headway because of a mechanical problem.
“We would only seek help from the RNLI if we really had no choice, and we are very grateful for the assistance.”
Aground at Bramble Bank
The second emergency call came from the 33 foot yacht Kusima, with two men aboard, which had gone aground on the Bramble Bank near the entrance to Southampton Water.
Coastguards particularly wanted the yacht removed as quickly because of the impending arrival in the Solent of the US registered car carrier Courage, bound for Southampton after having previously had a fire aboard in the English Channel.
The lifeboat launched at 5.30pm. Eventually, helped by a rising tide, the yacht was towed off the bank, and it then proceeded to East Cowes. The lifeboat returned to station at 6.11 pm.
Image: © Nick Edwards
