SOLENT COASTGUARDS AID SINKING YACHT

Solent Coastguard sprang into action at 2346 local time on 22 June 2001 after the French Yacht ‘Groupe Partouche’ declared a MAYDAY.

The 9-metre yacht which was taking part in the ‘Myth of Malham’ race from Cowes to Le Havre reported that they were taking water and sinking 4 miles South East of the Nab Tower, near the Isle of Wight. The crew of 2 then took to a liferaft.

Solent Coastguards tasked the Bembridge RNLI all-weather lifeboat to launch, scrambled the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter ‘India Juliet’ and co-ordinated the response of numerous yachts and other vessels, including the Ferry ‘Pride of Le Havre’, to assist in locating the survivors.

As the lifeboat approached the scene, red flares were spotted from the liferaft and the male and female crew was quickly taken on board shaken, but otherwise unharmed.