By Isle of Wight Observer
Yarmouth RNLI crew was tasked twice over the weekend to two very different incidents.
On Saturday at 1.15pm, they headed towards Hurst Castle after receiving the call that a 50ft-motor vessel was on fire. Upon arrival, the motor yacht’s engine was not alight, but instead had suffered a mechanic failure of the exhaust system which had resulted in black smoke billowing into the engine room and saloon, which had alarmed two-person crew.
Yarmouth RNLI transferred the crew onboard the all-weather lifeboat and established a tow, bringing the vessel into Yarmouth Harbour to await SeaStart.
At 9am the following morning, they were tasked to a 32ft-sailing yacht which was taking on water after hitting Hampstead Ledge, as well as the lone sailor sustaining a head injury during the collision.
Yarmouth was then joined by Lymington and rescue helicopter 175. Yarmouth provided the initial casualty care whilst Lymington had the winch-man paramedic lowered onto their Atlantic 85 lifeboat, and then transferred them to the casualty vessel to provide further treatment.
Both RNLI lifeboats then used their salvage pumps to keep the casualty vessel afloat. They managed to stay on top of the influx of water and towed the vessel back to Lymington, where an emergency haul-out had been arranged.
A tow was established and the stricken vessel was escorted to Lymington Harbour. The casualty, who had been transferred onto the all-weather lifeboat, was met by ambulance.
