Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat rescued an empty fishing boat yesterday. Ed
Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat was asked to launch by the Solent Coastguard at 14.15 yesterday (2 May) to a report by a passing freighter of a small fishing boat south of St Catherine’s Point with apparently no-one on board.
Empty fishing boat found
With heavy seas and a strong north easterly wind we made our way down to the area and a search was conducted, the Coastguard helicopter was also tasked.
The helicopter found the vessel, a five metre open fishing boat five miles south of St Catherine’s Point, where we made our way down to the boat and checked it over.
It was clear that this vessel had been torn away from its moorings and no-one had been on it.
We then took the vessel in tow as to remove a shipping hazard and to stop other false alarms.
The vessel was taken back to our Station.
