Thanks to Mark from Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat for an update of rescues at the weekend. Ed
On Saturday (23rd July) the Sandown & Shanklin independent lifeboat was on exercise with the Coastguard Helicopter off Sandown, when we spotted a child’s black and white inflatable ring with an orange kite attached to it, which was flying.
When an inflatable toy or boat is seen drifting we have to do an immediate search, in case the person has fallen off, which was done by ourselves and the helicopter and no one was found.
Whilst coming close in along the shore holding the inflatable and kite up for people to see, we were directed to a man on the beach.
The gentlemen did not want to come forward as he thought he might be charged for this, which there is never a charge.
Drifting boat
Also on the Sunday we were called out to three quarters of a mile off Monks Bay, to a report of a boat that had been drifting with people on board.
On arrival they had broken down and we towed them to Shanklin moorings, where the sea was a lot calmer and made repairs so the boat could make its own way back to Lymington.
We’re need your help during summer
As we’re coming up to our busiest time of year and have no lifeguards in the area to help spot things, we’d like the public to help by reporting any inflatables drifting or being blown out to sea, straight away to the coastguard on 999.
This is whether it has people on or not, as it would eliminate long searches and time if we know people are safe.
