George shares this latest news from Cowes RNLI. Ed
Cowes and Bembridge RNLI lifeboats rushed to a yacht that reported a fire aboard this afternoon.
The 34 foot Cara had left Island Harbour in the River Medina when the Christchurch couple aboard were shocked to see what saw the cabin filled with what they perceived to be smoke. After alerting Solent Coastguards, the couple used their mainsail to proceed from off Gurnard to west of Beaulieu River.
When the two lifeboats arrived on the scene Cowes lifeboat ferried the Bembridge lifeboat mechanic over to the yacht who reported that the ‘smoke’ was in fact steam caused by escaping water from a broken pipe dropping on to the engine.
As Bembridge lifeboat left the scene to return to its station, Cowes crewman Alasdair Boden was put on board to take the Cara’s helm.
Making use of a furling genoa sail and a brisk westerly, he then proceeded to take the yacht to Cowes, without the need for a tow from the lifeboat. Throughout however the lifeboat stood by as a precaution.
The Cara was eventually sailed into Cowes harbour, where Newport coastguards were on hand to assist in bringing it alongside Trinity Landing.
Cowes lifeboat, which launched at 3.30 pm, returned to station at 4.35pm.
