YACHT SINKS IN SOLENT

Solent Coastguard is having the usual busy time during Cowes week.

On Monday 6 August 2001 a yachtswoman was rescued after her boat sank off the Isle of Wight.

Lavinia Perry, of Astrop Park Farm, near King’s Sutton, lost her 1992 Daring class Dreamer when competing in the Skandia Life Cowes Week.

The boat’s rigging was snagged by another yacht and it filled with water after being pulled over.

The yacht sank in the middle of the Solent, a deep strait of water between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and is unlikely to be recovered.

Mrs. Perry and her two crew escaped uninjured and were picked up by a passing inflatable.

Her yacht went down in average sea conditions and was one of 288 boats out of 883 that didn’t make it to the end of the race. It was one of two to sink that day.

Watch manager at Solent Coastguard Bob Knox said: "The conditions were as the met office forecast with sea conditions moderate.