Cowes RNLI Rescues Casualty After Boom Strike During Solent Incident

Cowes RNLI volunteers were called into action on Saturday 16 May after a sailor was injured and thrown into the water during an incident in the Solent.

The crew launched their inshore Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Sheena Louise, at around 11.30am to provide cover for the Round the Island powerboat race.

At approximately 1pm, while heading towards the eastern Solent, the crew heard a pan-pan distress call over the radio.

An elderly sailor had been struck by his vessel’s boom and entered the water, with his crew initially unable to recover him.

The situation was later upgraded to a mayday, indicating it had become life-threatening.

The Cowes RNLI crew made best speed to the scene and found the casualty still in the water, holding onto a rope secured by his fellow crew members.

RNLI volunteers asked for slack on the line, allowing the man to drift into a position where he could be safely recovered aboard the lifeboat.

He had been in the water for around 20 minutes. After an initial assessment, the decision was made to return him to the lifeboat station to help him warm up.

Gosport Lifeboat also attended the incident and escorted the casualty’s vessel back towards Trinity Landing, where the crew were reunited before continuing on to their berth in East Cowes Marina.

Ventnor Coastguard team arrived alongside ambulance support, and the casualty was confirmed to be warm and well.

He was later transported back to East Cowes Marina by the Harbour Master to rejoin his crew.

Cowes RNLI helm Myles said:

“Accidents happen on the water and we are very glad we could be of assistance today.

"The casualty and the vessel’s crew did everything they could.

"He was wearing all the correct personal protective equipment, including a lifejacket which inflated when he hit the water, and had the crotch strap attached so the lifejacket stayed on.

"His crew had a radio on board and called for help when they were unable to recover him, and signalled the urgency of the situation so help could arrive quickly.

"Thank you to everyone involved.”