Cowes RNLI Crews Respond To Two Incidents In 12 Hours

(c) Josh Matthews

Cowes RNLI volunteers have responded to two incidents in just 12 hours, helping a couple whose boat ran aground and evacuating a sailor with a serious hand injury.

The first call came at around 4.50am yesterday (Tuesday), after a vessel with two people on board went aground in Osborne Bay.

The couple had anchored overnight, but their anchor dragged as the tide fell, pushing the boat ashore.

Cowes RNLI launched the lifeboat Sheena Louise and took both people to safety in Cowes while they waited for the tide to rise.

Later, off-duty RNLI crew, Cowes Harbour Commission and UKSA helped refloat the boat and return it to Cowes for checks.

Then, at around 5.45pm, the lifeboat was called to a 37-foot yacht after a man suffered a serious hand injury.

The crew headed out in rough conditions, while Yarmouth RNLI and a search and rescue helicopter also responded. A paramedic was transferred onto the yacht to treat the man.

Cowes RNLI then took the casualty and paramedic to Yarmouth Harbour, where they were met by the Needles Coastguard Rescue Team and an ambulance.

Yarmouth RNLI brought the yacht safely into harbour.

Cowes RNLI says the lifeboat was back at its station and ready for service by 8.15pm.