Incident Reports
Round The Island Race 28th June 2008 PDF Print E-mail

The unit had a very busy day on a day where moderate wind conditions and seas made sailing interesting but tricky at times. We used 2 boats and 3 crews to provide cover from the start of the event until the end of our last shout at 3pm. Freshwater Lifeboat launched before 6am and were on standby at The Needles before the first of the fleet arrived.

In all 7 incidents were attended including the rescue of two persons from the water after their guard rail broke. The day started quietly with a request to check the area that two buayancy aids had been found floating, but quickly escalated with task after task stretching the available lifeboats as the fleet arrived at the Needles.

We attended Yacht VAMONOS with steering failure followed by a tri-maran stuck on the shingles bank and then were well placed to reach the two MOBs from the yacht RED MACHINE who had gone overboard when their guard rail failed. They were out of the water within a minute or so of the MOB call and then landed at Yarmouth to dry their clothes.

A quick stop to refuel and straight back out to Yacht PRESTO in collision with Yacht QUEST. PRESTO was dismasted and reported a casualty with a lacerated thumb. PRESTO was towed back to Yarmouth and the casualty left with the coastguard.

Freshwater Lifeboat proceeded back to Freshwater Bay to change crew and en route were tasked to investigate a flotation device with flashing light reported in the water off Sun Corner. Nothing found the crew changover completed and 30 minutes later, the Lifeboat was conned by The Berry B, onto a 60' wooden gaff rigged ketch with a broken spar and spinnaker round steering and propellor drifting off Atherfield.

It was too deep to anchor and no other boat available to take a tow, so the SAMPHIRE was taken in tow by the Lifeboat back to Yarmouth. This long tow ended in a tricky operation to land this beautiful yacht, which was more than twice the length of the lifeboat and made entirely of wood, gently against the harbour wall.

Freshwater Lifeboat was released at 3pm and recovered and back on standby by 4:30pm. A long and busy day!
Shout 15/16th June 2008 PDF Print E-mail

Freshwater Lifeboat was alerted by pager at 00:50UTC or 00:50 local time. Coastguard were in contact with the yacht ANDAXI just outside of Freshwater Bay which was taking on water and had flattened its battery trying to start its engine.

Lifeboat launched and was on scene at 01:14. A crew member went on board to assess the water problem and started the yachts engine using the Lifeboats jump start pack. Yacht made its own way to Needles but was unable to punch the tide into the Solent. The Lifeboat took the ANDAXI in tow but by Hurst, the incoming water had reached deck board level and a salvage pump was placed on board to pump out the bilge and prevent damage to the yacht.

ANDAXI was landed at Yarmouth and the Lifeboat was released at 04:05am. Crew refueled and returned to Freshwater Bay. It takes an hour to land the Lifeboat and get her ready for launch. This has to be done regardless of time so the crew got home about 5:30am.
Shout 27th May 2008 PDF Print E-mail

Freshwater Lifeboat was alerted by pager at 19:10. A member of the public had reported seeing a windsurfer in difficulty wearing a black wetsuit approx 500m West of St Catherines.

Lifeboat launched at 19:21 and made a high speed run to the reported position making 44Kn and arrived on scene at 18:35. A search of the sea area and beaches to both West and East revealed nothing. CG mobile units were tasked to search beaches and cliff tops. Coastguard helicopter was launched to assist the search before loss of light. Helicopted landed on beach at Atherfield to check sighting of wetsuited figure.

With no casualty, onlookers reported that they had seen a seal in the area and coasguard concluded that the sighting had been incorrect. Helo was stood down and Freshwater Lifeboat tasked to search the coast between Atherfield and Hanover point.

Lifeboat was stood down at 21:08 and proceeded to Yarmouth to refuel before returning to station at 10pm
24th May 2008 PDF Print E-mail

Freshwater Lifeboat were called at 02:52am after the coastguard requested assistance in dealing with a person threatening suicide. Coastguard located person in a prone position at Grange Chine. Freshwater crewmember and Paramedic left by road to assist.

Freshwater Lifeboat launched but was stood down after 5 minutes when it became clear that the casualty was conscious.

Lifeboat was recovered to Freshwater Bay and crew enjoyed a cuppa and watched the dawn rise.

20th May 2008 PDF Print E-mail

Freshwater Lifeboat had a busy weekend with launching twice to the assistance of 3 vessels. On Sunday 18th May, crew were alerted by pager and launched to the assistance of a fishing boat with engine failure. Despite being given a location of "off St Catherines" the casualty was found near Scratchels Bay. His engine jump started and he continued under his own power.

Immediately after being released, Freshwater Lifeboat was again tasked by radio to go to the assistance of a vessel in Alum Bay just round the needles. The vessel had snagged its anchor and the crew were able to free it and the casualty vessel continued on its own.

Late on the evening of 20th May, the Coastguard alerted Freshwater Lifeboat on the request of the police to assist a search for a person reported missing and liable to commit suicide. Police teams, Coaustguard teams, the police spotter plane and Freshwater Lifeboat mounted a full scale search of the coast between Watkins bay and Brook Ledge. Nothing was found and the police called off the search when the missing person was located ashore.

Difficulties with launching equipment meant the Lifeboat counld not be recovered and had to overnight in Yarmouth. Crew returned to station at 2:30am
More...
<< Start < Previous 1 2 Next > End >>

Results 1 - 9 of 16