NCI initiates textbook rescue at Gosport

As reported by Dave Russell of NCI Gosport, the vessel, with just one person on board, had been steadily motoring toward the harbour entrance when a sudden eddy of tide forced it to veer off course and collide with the pile, entangling its rigging and snapping the mast, which left it impaled and stranded.

The duty NCI Watchkeepers immediately sprang into action, informing the Queens Harbour Master’s Port Control, which then took charge of the incident, tasking a number of nearby vessels to the rescue.

Solent Coastguard was also advised of the incident by NCI Gosport to ensure that they were aware that the situation was in hand, should they receive any calls from the public via the 999 service.

Within about three minutes, the rapid response RIB from a UK Border Agency offshore patrol vessel, which was moored in nearby Haslar Creek, together with small civilian RIB, were on scene, assisted by the crane equipped harbour maintenance vessel VOE III. The latter vessel actually arrived first and managed to lift the shattered mast clear to free the yacht. VOE III then towed the yacht to the safety of Haslar Creek for repairs. Meanwhile, the MOD police launch Loyalty stood by to help if required.

As a direct result of the vigilance, quick thinking, and rapid response of the NCI Volunteer Watchkeepers, together with prompt and decisive action taken by QHM Port Control, the whole incident was resolved safely in just twelve minutes. This emphasises once again the value of the visual surveillance provided around UK coasts by the National Coastwatch Institution as an integrated part of the UK Maritime Search and Rescue Service.