At 1.30 pm, Solent Coastguard received a 999 mobile phone call from the skipper of the 45ft yacht 'Bounder' in a position 2.5 miles-south east of St Catherine's Point Lighthouse. The informant reported that all fourteen crew were on the upturned vessel. All were wearing lifejackets and the vessel was slowly sinking. It appears that the yacht had broken its keel, lost stability and overturned.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Fourteen crew members have just been rescued from the hull of their upturned yacht, 'Bounder' by the Coastguard rescue helicopter Whiskey Bravo.
At 1.30 pm, Solent Coastguard received a 999 mobile phone call from the skipper of the 45ft yacht 'Bounder' in a position 2.5 miles-south east of St Catherine's Point Lighthouse. The informant reported that all fourteen crew were on the upturned vessel. All were wearing lifejackets and the vessel was slowly sinking. It appears that the yacht had broken its keel, lost stability and overturned.
Solent Coastguard scrambled the Coastguard helicopter Whiskey Bravo and Bembridge RNLI all weather lifeboat was launched. Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team were also sent to the scene.
The helicopter winched all the casualties off the hull and transported them to their base at Lee on Solent. After consultation with the casualties it was deemed that no medical attention was required. They were taken back to the helicopter base at Lee and given hot drinks. The crew of the yacht had been hanging onto the hull for approximately 30 minutes and were very cold but not hypothermic. For further information please contact:
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