Weekend Update

This page was updated on: Monday, July 5, 2010

Saturday 3rd July 2010

Today proved the start of what was to become a long weekend for the Venturers SAR lifeboat crews.

We were tasked by the coastguard along with Solent Rescue to the assistance of a vessel aground on the Brambles bank after they had suffered a collision with another Vessel.

On arrival we placed a crewman aboard the casualty vessel (a charter yacht) to assess for possible water ingress below decks, fortunately none was found and the damage proved only to be cosmetic.

However the situation was slightly complicated by the discovery of a sick crewman on board. We transferred a medic and equipment and with the assistance of some oxygen, fresh air and the view of the horizon the gentleman soon recovered and was happy to continue with the vessel, meanwhile Solent Rescue transferred a crewman to assist with locking the Tow line off so we could tow the vessel into deeper water.

In the afternoon we were again tasked by Solent Coastguard to the assistance of a 35 foot yacht after they issued a MAYDAY call for an engine room fire of the entrance to the Beaulieu River.

Venturer Rescue One was scrambled and was alongside the casualty vessel (who had run themselves aground on Lepe beach) within 8 minutes.

The crew of the yacht had managed to knock the fire back with a dry powder extinguisher however had not completely put out the fire.

We transferred a crewman (who happened to be an ex Fire and Rescue officer of 22 years experience!) with a CO2 extinguisher who quickly extinguished the fire and managed to cool down the hot points before ventilating the engine space.

VR1 could then take the vessel in tow to Bucklars Hard, during which time Both Hamble and Calshot lifeboats arrived to provide any back up and ensure the situation was under control. We were met by Southampton Coastguard Rescue Team at Bucklars Hard.

Our duty Ambulance Community Responder also attended one 999 call.

Sunday 4th of July 2010

Our first tasking of the day came for Venturer Rescue Four when they recovered a windsurfer with Broken Rigging near Lepe, he was recovered along with sail and board and dropped back off at Lepe all safe and well.

Second tasking was to a motor cruiser with one disabled engine not making much headway across the shipping lanes to Calshot.

VR1 escorted the vessel across the shipping lanes as well as informing Vessel Trafficking Services and subsequently any container vessels coming up Southampton Water.

Our final tasking at sea came directly after the motor cruiser, a more serious incident of three people thrown from a jet ski in the shipping channel north of Cowes.

With one person not wearing a lifejacket the only way he could keep his head above water was to cling to the other two people.

This meant they could not get back to the ski. At least 15 minutes elapsed before a passing motor cruiser spotted them and recovered two of the people, the third was picked up by the Cowes Harbour master.

As the incident was reported VR1, VR3 and the Cowes RNLI Inshore lifeboat were summoned and raced to their aid.

Arriving almost at the same time. VR1 and Cowes ILB both transferred a crewman each to the motor cruiser with the Venturers medical kit and began providing aid to the two crewmen, wrapping them in special survival blankets and administering oxygen.

The third was rushed into Cowes by the harbour launch. VR3 headed straight to the Jet Ski and took it in tow to the lifeboat jetty at Cowes.

All three casualties were landed at the Trinity landing stage to be met by Paramedics and taken to hospital.

Our duty Ambulance Community Responder also attended three 999 call’s.