TWO FISHERMAN RESCUED FROM LIFERAFT OFF ISLE OF WIGHT
Two men have been rescued after their fishing boat sank early this
morning near Christchurch , Dorset .
Solent Coastguard received numerous 999 calls at around
8am this morning reporting a red distress flare west of the Needles
lighthouse. The Needles Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to investigate and
reported back that they could see a liferaft out to sea.
"We always urge fishermen to make sure they’re well prepared when heading out to sea, with as much life saving equipment on board as possible. This includes the necessary communications equipment, a liferaft, distress flares and of course personal flotation devices, which should be worn at all times whilst on deck.”
The RNLI Yarmouth all-weather lifeboat was then launched along with
the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent. The two men were
then recovered from their liferaft and taken back to shore by the lifeboat where
they were checked over by ambulance crews.
It’s thought they had been out in their liferaft for at least two
hours. Other than being cold, they didn’t require any further medical attention.
Matt West, Watch Manager at Solent Coastguard, said:
"It appears this fishing vessel suffered problems early this morning,
and sank quickly. So much so that the two men on board didn’t have time to radio
us for help.
"Luckily, they managed to get into their liferaft and take with them
some red distress flares which meant they could raise the alarm.
"We always urge fishermen to make sure they’re well prepared when heading out to sea, with as much life saving equipment on board as possible. This includes the necessary communications equipment, a liferaft, distress flares and of course personal flotation devices, which should be worn at all times whilst on deck.”