Boat launched: Atlantic 85
Date: Saturday 31st March
Launched: 22:24
Returned to Station: 22:47
Weather: Moderate NE F4
Solent Coastguard requested the launch of a lifeboat to go to the assistance of an 11 metre yacht that had run aground on the north end of the Winner Bank. The yacht had a crew of four people on board and as the yacht started to heel over, one of the crew became very worried and anxious about the angle of heel.
The Atlantic 85 was launched and was quickly on the scene and a crew member went aboard to assess the situation. The helmsman decided that the tide was already too low for the vessel to be towed off and so a kedge anchor was put out. The distressed lady crew member was taken off the yacht and landed at the lifeboat station and a female shore crew member offered to take her home for the night.
It was agreed that the yacht could manage on its own when it re-floated and would go to Sparks Marina, where the lady would be re-united with her husband and the yacht. With this agreed the lifeboat returned to the station and was made ready for further service.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________