Cowes RNLI Crews Called Out Three Times In Busy Few Days Across The Solent

Volunteer lifeboat crews at Cowes RNLI have had a hectic spell on the water after responding to a series of incidents across the Solent, including a grounded vessel, stranded teenagers and a medical emergency — with one unusual passenger also making headlines.

The first shout came at around 11.40pm on Wednesday night, when HM Coastguard requested assistance for a 20ft boat that had run aground south of the Folly Inn.

The lifeboat Sheena Louise was launched and located the vessel stuck on the eastern bank of the river.

With the tide falling and conditions cold and wet, the lone occupant was transferred safely onto the lifeboat and taken to the Folly Inn pontoon, where Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team was waiting.

Just a few hours later, at 4.15am on Thursday morning, the crew were called out again.

This time, two teenagers were found stranded on a pontoon after their dinghy suffered engine failure.

With both phones dead and unable to call for help, they had been stuck for some time before concerns were raised when one was reported overdue by a parent.

The pair were found cold and shaken before being brought aboard the lifeboat and returned safely to Folly Harbour.

The disabled dinghy was also recovered.

The busy spell continued on Sunday (19 April), when Cowes RNLI were initially taking part in a planned Solent training and crew gathering — but were diverted at 10.20am following reports of a person in the water near the Folly.

That report turned out to be false, but crews were quickly redirected to Kingston Marina where a man was found unwell aboard his vessel and in need of urgent medical attention.

He was assessed by RNLI crew before being transferred to ambulance paramedics, with support from Ventnor and Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Teams, and taken to St Mary’s Hospital for further treatment.

In an unusual twist, Cowes Harbour Commission also assisted by transporting two of the casualty’s family members — along with their pet bearded dragon — across to Kingston Marina so they could be with him.

The lifeboat was later stood down and crews rejoined other RNLI stations from across the Solent for their planned training event.

Helm Myles Hussey, who was involved in all three callouts and led two of them, praised the dedication of the volunteer team.

He said crews were called out twice overnight on Wednesday and then left a scheduled event on Sunday to respond to further emergencies, adding that it is exactly what they train for.

The RNLI provides a 24-hour search and rescue service around the UK and Ireland and is funded entirely by public donations.