'Distress Call' Leads To Call Out For Coastguard And Lifeboat Teams

Monday, 21 February 2022 07:11

A 'distress call' off the south of the Isle of Wight led to a call-out for lifeboat teams and coastguards.

Bembridge and Yarmouth Lifeboats were launched at around 7.30pm after a PanPan call was received from near Chale Bay.

Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team was also called to the scene.

After searching for more than two hours, no vessel in distress was located.

A HM Coastguard spokesperson said:

"At approx. 7.30pm on February 20, HM Coastguard received a PanPan call over the Ch.16 comms near Chale Bay, and the Bembridge and Yarmouth lifeboats were launched, alongside the Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team to conduct a search and provide assistance.

"No vessel in distress has been identified and the search has been suspended, pending further information."

A spokesperson for Yarmouth Lifeboat said:

"Yarmouth RNLI’s volunteer crew headed west out of Yarmouth harbour against the tide towards the Needles, where wind gusts had already reached over 66 knots.

"Once in the vicinity south-west of St Catherine’s, Yarmouth’s ALB (all weather lifeboat) rendezvoused with the Bembridge RNLI’s Tamar Class ALB as part of the multi-agency search, along with the team from Ventnor Coastguard.

"After a combined search of the area (both land and sea) by coastguard and lifeboat teams, no casualties were located. The decision was made to scale the search down due to deteriorating weather, visibility and sea conditions. A further search was made by Yarmouth and Bembridge RNLI crews as they returned to their stations."

Lifeboat Coxswain, Howard Lester, said:

"We would like to urge everyone to be aware of weather forecasts and the current warnings, to be cautious and to stay safe in areas around the coast."

Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat returned to the harbour and was ready for service at 10.50pm.

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'Distress Call' Leads To Call Out For Coastguard And Lifeboat Teams

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