Grounded yacht leads to long wait for Cowes Lifeboat

An ocean racer that had grounded yesterday on a sandbank at the entrance to Southampton Water, in strong winds and choppy seas, led to Cowes lifeboat playing an uncomfortable waiting game for some two hours, before being joined by Yarmouth lifeboat.

The 40 foot yacht, with two people aboard, had gone hard aground on to Bramble Bank.

Although the RNLI’s Atlantic 85 rib Sheena Louise lost little time in crossing the Solent, after launching at 1.50 pm, it soon became apparent that the crew would have to wait a long time for the tide to rise sufficiently for the yacht to float free. During the long wait it was decided that it would be prudent for Yarmouth’s all-weather more powerful lifeboat to provide on-the-scene backup.

Finally, at 3.59 pm, a crew member the yacht radioed to say they had regained full buoyancy.

The long-awaited tow could then be carried out. Initially the yacht was towed off the bank by Cowes lifeboat, then the task was taken over by the Yarmouth lifeboat which delivered the yacht to Cowes Yacht Haven where its hull could be inspected for possible damage.