Weekend Update

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

Saturday 28th August 2010

VR1’s first tasking of the day was to back up Stanswood rescue lifeguards with a person in the water near the outfall rig at Calshot.

VR1 was halfway to the scene when stood down as the gentleman concerned had made his own way to shore.

Control later received a call from the Beaulieu River harbour master and Solent coastguard to the aid of a broken down fishing vessel near the brick yard, VR4 located the vessel and towed it safely to Bucklars hard all ok on board.

VR1 was then scrambled after a broken down speed boat made a 999 call from near Lepe spit. VR1 arrived on scene and took the vessel in tow to the Hamble river where they safely berthed alongside in Hamble point marina.

Upon leaving the river VR1 was immediately re-tasked to a broken down yacht in the entrance to the Beaulieu river.

The yacht had suffered a blown head gasket and had dropped anchor immediately adjacent to a marker post.

VR1 managed to connect side tow line and take the vessel in tow before it veered down onto the post.

The vessel was towed up to the safety of Ginns farm with all safe and well onboard.

Just as we were placing the above vessel alongside a call came through to Solent coastguard from a broken down RIB somewhere in the western Solent, his position was given as being able to see two large aerials on land and a green buoy.

With some further questioning Solent Coastguard managed to establish they believed his position to be just west of new town at Hampstead Ledge on the Isle of Wight.

As VR1 slipped our lines we were tasked to locate and recover the vessel.

15 minutes later VR1 was alongside and took the vessel in tow to Yarmouth, it became apparent that the vessel had run out of fuel and the harbour master arranged for the boat to be refuelled so they could make there own way back to Christchurch.

VR1 returned to station and crew ashore for the evening.

Sunday 29th August 2010

Crews spent the day closely monitoring the Cowes to Torquay and Cowes to Poole powerboat races and VR1 was in position near the Poole fairway buoy for the departure and arrival of the vessels during the race, fortunately despite the choppy conditions all vessel completed the race safely and our assistance was not required.

Monday 30th August 2010

Crews completed some navigational passages around the Western Solent as part of the continued academy training schemes.

VR4 towed a broken down RIB to Ashlett creek when they found them on patrol near the Fawley jetty and VR1 likewise towed a broken down 7 meter rib to the Beaulieu River sailing club when they were found on patrol in the entrance to the Beaulieu River, all safe and well on board for both taskings and the vessels resumed patrol.