By Isle of Wight ObserverLifeboat training turned into a double rescue for Cowes RNLI.
On Thursday night (July 26), just before the Cowes RNLI teams began their training, they spotted a small motorboat drifting.
From then, it was all go for the teams as they worked to rescue the small boat out in the middle of the harbour.
Two small children and a man were towed safely into Calshot as a result.
Teams then resumed their training but were interrupted to assist a 25ft yacht with engine problems off Ryde near No Mans Land Fort.
They took the yacht to Cowes, although the yacht’s final destination was Yarmouth.
All was not lost for the team’s training as crew members passed two assessments and all got some great towing practise.
Cowes RNLI posted on Facebook: “Last nights exercise turned into a marathon session. Just prior to launch our attention was drawn to a small motorboat drifting in the middle of the main harbour.
“We took the boat with a man and two small children in tow to Calshot.
“Once the family were back safe we resumed our exercise. We were then tasked by HM Coastguard to assist a 25ft yacht with engine problems and drifting by No Mans Land Fort off Ryde.
“The yacht was enroute Chichester to Yarmouth. We took her as far as Cowes.
“The three and a half hours all this took was not wasted. A new boat crew passed his ENav assessment afloat and a second Radar and Helicopter Operations. All three crew were able to polish their towing skills as well.”
