PORTSMOUTH AND SOUTHSEA VOLUNTARY LIFEGUARDS
Brand new Portsea Rescue 1 Responds to her first Incident in the Solent
Being less than 2 months old and already responding to her first incident, our brand new lifeboat was certainly put through her paces today! While carrying out engine trials in the local area, the new Portsea Rescue 1 was tasked by Solent Coastguard to respond to a 999 call to the reports that there were persons in the water off a sandbar near the Inn on the beach pub, Hayling Island.
Although at the time, the new Portsea Rescue 1 was in Fountain Lake, Portsmouth Harbour, she was able to reach the scene within 10 minutes thanks to its Suzuki powered engines, which are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 46 knots. Our thanks to QHM for granting us permission to leave Portsmouth Harbour at speed to attend the incident in best time.
Once on scene, Portsea Rescue 1 and her crew did a good job of sweeping the eastern edge of the East Winner Bank. A crew member was then put ashore to speak to the first informant who had put in the call to Solent Coastguard. It was confirmed by the first informant that the people in the water had indeed exited the water safely and had left the scene. To be sure, Portsea Rescue 1 continued to check the South and West sides of the winner bank for any persons that could be in danger, and the crew member who was ashore, checked the sandbank.
With no further action required and with order from Solent Coastguard, Portsea Rescue 1 was stood down and returned to sea trials.
If you would like a chance to see our new boat, the official launch date is the 13th of May 2017. We hope to see you all there!