Capsized catamaran in RNLI rescue after nearly drifting into Solent shipping lane off Calshot Spit

RNLI rescuers rushed to the aid of a capsized catamaran which drifted dangerously close to the Solent’s main shipping lane off Calshot Spit.

The alarm was raised just after 6pm yesterday (Sunday), with reports the 5.5-metre vessel with one person on board had been blown over by a gust of wind while sailing between Lepe and Cowes.

A lifeboat from Cowes was launched, finding the catamaran under tow from a yacht, and one of the volunteer crew boarded and helped right it. Taking over the tow, the lifeboat brought it to Calshot Slip.

A Cowes RNLI Facebook post afterwards said: “Just after 6pm this evening, Cowes lifeboat was tasked to a capsized catamaran and its one-man crew, in danger of drifting into the Solent’s main shipping lane.

“The 5.5-metre catamaran had been turned over by a gust of wind, near Calshot Spit. In its capsized state it had been taken in tow by a yacht.

“With the help of lifeboat crewman Andy, transferring to the catamaran, the owner was able to right the craft and it was subsequently towed by the lifeboat to Calshot Slip.”