Weekend Update

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

Friday 9th July 2010

We launched for routine training afloat between Lepe and Gurnard, On returning to station VR3 came across a broken down fishing vessel in the Beaulieu River.

The vessel was towed into Inchmery quay and berthed alongside all safe and well.

Saturday 10th July 2010

Cadets were taken afloat in VR1 for basic boat handling all morning. Despite the fine weather the day passed without incident afloat.

A minor first aid job ashore was the only call and the afternoon was filled with several first aid exercises including casualties stuck in the rocks, major burns, diabetic emergency and heart attacks.

Sunday 11th July 2010

Today proved to be busier on the rescue front, the first incident of the day came when VR3 came across a small day boat with a fuel problem, VR3 towed the vessel clear of the channel and onto a courtesy mooring where a VR3 crewman was able to rectify the problem and the vessel continued on its way.

Shortly after VR1 was tasked by Solent Coastguard to the assistance of a yacht near Newtown creek who had suffered a propeller wrap.

On arrival it became apparent that a fender had become lodged between the rudder and the propeller.

The vessel was taken in tow as the obstruction could not be cleared at sea and was berthed safely alongside in Yarmouth.

In the afternoon VR1 was again tasked this time to the assistance of a vessel aground on Hamstead ledge, arriving on a strong ebb tide the crew had to act quickly to remove the vessel from its predicament slowly and carefully.

Once free she was escorted into the Lymington river to be met by Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team.

As we finished the above tasking Solent Coastguard re-tasked us and Calshot Lifeboat to the assistance of a motor boat near Gurnard when they issued a Pan Pan call to the Coastguard.

Fortunately Calshot lifeboat was well positioned and arrived on scene before us. Obviously with the situation under control and no further/additional assistance required from ourselves we were stood down and returned to station.