Gafirs tow RIB and assist capsized dinghy during early morning operations

A crew from Gafirs assisted the RIB at around 7.10am after the vessel – which had to people on board – issued a pan pan distress call when it lost power by Fort Gilkicker in Stokes Bay.

The boat’s crew had been on an early morning fishing trip when the engine failed.

Brian Pack, Gafirs’ senior helm said: ‘We soon found the vessel and placed a crewman on board the RIB who rigged a tow line.’

Gafirs were able to two the boat back to its home port in Ryde before the volunteers received another call regarding the capsizing of a small sailing dinghy, also in Stokes Bay.

A concerned member of the public had rung the Coastguard after watching the crew struggle to right the dinghy.

Gafirs were able to offer the dingy some assistance and made sure the sailors were safe.

The calls were the 36th and 37th incidents of the year for the independent lifeboat station.