Pregnant woman on sinking boat rescued
Woman one of two brought to shore from stranded vessel
A SINKING boat with two people on board – including a pregnant woman – was rescued in the Solent on Monday evening.
Those on board the rapidly submerging vessel sent out a Mayday after being stranded in the ocean between the Solent Forts and Ryde, Isle of Wight, at 5.40pm.
Hillhead Coastguard Rescue Team attended along with Gosport and Fareham InshoreRescue.
They were joined by a Coastguard helicopter before the occupants were rescued by Hamble Lifeboat, who then passed over to Portsmouth Coastguard Rescue Team.
Pete Byford, Coxswain for GAFIRS, said ‘Thankfully the two occupants, including a pregnant lady, were picked up moments before by another vessel who also heard the distress call. We placed a crew member on-board the assisting vessel tocheckonthewelfareof the casualties who were shaken but unharmed.
‘After careful consideration and liaison with Queens Harbour Master, who are responsible for the safe passage of ships through these waters, it was decided to attempt to tow the sinking vessel away before it became completely submerged which would render it a hazard to shipping.’
The occupants were taken into Portsmouth Harbour, where paramedics checked them over.
A Solent Coastguard spokesman said: ‘We received a Mayday call from the vessel at 5.40pm.
‘The boat was partly submerged by the time the people were rescued but they werenotinthesea.
‘The people were fine and well and were taken off.’
After four hours, the boat – which had virtually submerged – was salvaged after being dragged back to Stokes Bay.