Solent Rescue Lifeboat

01/09/2026

Solent Rescue is excited to be joining the Hythe Activity Day at Hythe Village Centre on Saturday 5th September, 10am–3pm.

If you’ve ever thought about volunteering with us, would like to find out more about what we do, or simply want to come along and have a chat, please come and say hello!

Charity No. 267039 | solent-rescue.org.uk

10/08/2026

COWES WEEK RECAP…

⏰ 535 volunteer hours
⌚️ 89 hours afloat

🗓️ 7 days of coverage
🌙 1 training evening

🚤 2 lifeboats afloat

☎️ 15 incidents attended including…
🧍‍♂️ 6 patients assessed
⛵️ 3 vessels aground
🔥 3 boat fires
🌊 2 people recovered from the water

🤝Worked alongside 8 partner agencies including…
Hamble Lifeboat, Calshot Lifeboat, Lymington CRT, Hill Head CRT, Ventnor CRT, Cowes Harbour Commission, South Central Ambulance Service, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.

Charity No. 267039 | solent-rescue.org.uk

08/08/2026

The final few days of Cowes Week kept Solent Rescue busy!

On Thursday, whilst providing event cover, SR2 attended three separate vessels aground. Two on Gurnard Ledge and a third at Grantham Rocks. On each occasion, the crew checked everyone onboard, assessed for water ingress and checked steering. All three vessels were able to free themselves, with SR2 standing by until it was safe to return to patrol.

Friday saw the crew assisting a casualty with a dislocated shoulder. Working alongside Calshot Lifeboat, they helped provide analgesia and safely brought the casualty ashore, where they were handed over to the ambulance service.

The team then finished Cowes Week providing safety cover for the fireworks. Thankfully, it was an uneventful evening on the water, allowing the crew to enjoy the spectacular display too!

A busy few days and a great end to another Cowes Week. A huge thank you to our volunteers and all our partner agencies in keeping everyone on the water safe.

Charity No. 267039 | solent-rescue.org.uk

06/08/2026

The first half of this week has kept our volunteer crews busy across the Solent, with a mix of training and emergency callouts.

Monday provided a welcome opportunity for both SR01 and SR02 to focus on training, with no operational taskings.

Tuesday quickly made up for the quiet start. Both lifeboats responded to a vessel fire off Calshot after a Mayday was broadcast on VHF Channel 16. On arrival, the fire had been extinguished using the vessel's onboard equipment, but one casualty was suffering from suspected smoke inhalation. Working alongside a Cowes Week safety RIB, our crews provided casualty care, confirmed the fire was fully extinguished, isolated the vessel to prevent any further risk, and took the casualty vessel under tow to Port Hamble Marina. SR01 transported the casualty ashore, where they were handed into the care of the Ambulance Service. Hill Head Coastguard Rescue Team and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service also attended to assess the vessel.

Later that evening, SR01 was tasked to reports of a dinghy in difficulty in Gurnard Bay with two people onboard. As the crew arrived in the area, Solent Coastguard confirmed the dinghy had already been recovered by a passing RIB and returned safely ashore, allowing SR01 to resume training.

Wednesday began with SR02 responding to a Mayday involving a sailor who had suffered a head injury aboard a Dragon class yacht. After locating the casualty aboard a support RIB, our crew transferred them onto SR02 and transported them to Trinity Landing, where they were met by the Ambulance Service and Coastguard Rescue Team.

Shortly afterwards, SR01 was tasked to a reported boat fire off Cowes. Fortunately, the occupants had already been recovered by the Police Boat before our arrival, allowing the crew to be stood down.

The day concluded with SR01 and SR02 assisting a yacht that had lost its rudder. SR01 held the position to sea whilst SR02 came alongside and towed the vessel into Cowes, with SR01 following and assisting with the berth.

Charity No. 267039 | solent-rescue.org.uk

03/08/2026

03/08/2026

Ever wondered what its like for a lifeboat crew to arrive on scene?

This was the crew's view on Saturday 1st August as Solent Rescue 1 responded to a vessel on fire off Gilkicker.

Charity No. 267039 | solent-rescue.org.uk

02/08/2026

Saturday marked a busy start to Cowes Week for our volunteer crews aboard SR01 and SR02.

After a quiet morning, SR01 was tasked to a vessel on fire off Gilkicker. On arrival, the lone casualty had already been rescued from the water by a passing motor cruiser. Our crew carried out an initial casualty assessment before transferring them to Portsmouth, where they were handed into the care of Portsmouth CRT and South Central Ambulance Service. Hamble Lifeboat also attended, helping to establish a safety cordon around the burning vessel.

Later, both SR01 and SR02 were tasked alongside Hamble Lifeboat to a vessel taking on water on the River Itchen. While supporting that incident, SR01 was re-tasked towards Lymington to assist a drifting motorboat. En-route, the crew were further diverted to a man overboard (MOB) incident involving a Cowes Week racing yacht. Thankfully, the casualty had already been recovered safely, allowing SR01 to continue to Lymington.

On arrival, SR01 located the casualty vessel, which had now capsized, leaving two people in the water. Both casualties were quickly recovered, assessed by the crew, and taken ashore into the care of Lymington CRT.

Meanwhile, SR02 responded to a medical incident aboard a Cowes Week racing vessel. Prior to their arrival, the patient had already been transferred to a support boat for onward assessment.

As SR01 were returning to Lepe, the crew were re-tasked to investigate an upturned vessel off Hurst Castle. It was confirmed to be the same capsized boat from the earlier incident and following discussions with Solent Coastguard, it was agreed that recovery was not appropriate at this time. The situation was left under Coastguard monitoring.

With multiple incidents attended across the Solent, we’d like to say a massive thank you to all our volunteers who dedicate their free time to volunteering, particularly during one of the busiest weeks on the water. Our lifeboats will be out every day this week, so keep an eye out for us!

Charity No. 267039 | solent-rescue.org.uk

01/08/2026

As Cowes Week, one of the oldest sailing regattas, gets underway, Solent Rescue will once again be supporting one of the busiest periods on the Solent.

With many people expected on the water, Cowes Week is always a busy time for everyone involved in maritime safety. Our crews will have at least one lifeboat on the water every day, ready to respond should assistance be required.

If you’re heading out onto the water, please remember to check the weather and tides, wear an appropriate lifejacket or buoyancy aid, carry a means of calling for help, and always be aware of other water users.

We wish everyone taking part in Cowes Week a safe and enjoyable week!

Charity No. 267039 | solent-rescue.org.uk

23/07/2026

Come and see us this Saturday (25th July) at the Six Villages Together Festival in Fawley!

Our volunteers will be there throughout the day, raising funds to support the work of Solent Rescue, sharing water safety advice to help everyone enjoy the coast safely this summer, handing out children’s water safety activity books and running a tombola.

If you’ve ever considered volunteering with Solent Rescue, this is also a great opportunity for us to answer any questions you might have and tell you more about what we do.

This will be our first time attending the Six Villages Together Festival, and we’re really looking forward to being part of the event. We look forward to seeing you!

Charity No. 267039 | solent-rescue.org.uk

21/07/2026

Last weekend saw another productive few days for our volunteer crews.

Throughout the weekend, the crews carried out a variety of training exercises, including towing techniques, man overboard recoveries, and boat handling drills.

On Saturday, the crew was also tasked to a medical incident at Lepe, where a casualty sustained a suspected sprained ankle. After assessing the casualty, our crew assisted them and ensure they received the appropriate care.

A huge thank you to all our volunteers who continue to give up their time to keep us operational.

Charity No. 267039 | solent-rescue.org.uk