Ryde Rescue Lifeboat Launched to Assist Sailor in Distress

The Ryde Independent Lifeboat based on the Isle of Wight has been launched this afternoon to assist a sailor who is understood to be fit and well but in distress in the Solent. It is understood that that Ryde Rescue One has been launched on service to assist with towing the sailor. Ryde Rescue went to the aid of a rigid inflatable that was drifting helplessly towards the main Solent shipping lane yesterday evening (Tuesday). At around 17:00 Solent Coastguard tasked Ryde Rescue 1 to a vessel, with 3 persons on board, seen in difficulty near to No Mans Fort. After arriving on scene the volunteer lifeboat crewmen soon discovered that the RIB was having difficulties with its engine and was dragging its anchor. Ryde Rescue quickly established a tow and took the casualty vessel to its mooring off Seaview, where the 3 persons transferred ashore. The shout was the 8th of 2018 for the independent lifeboat station.