RNLI called to boat crash and stricken rowers

The skipper of a 44ft yacht put out a Mayday call after his sailing yacht collided with the bow of an anchored fishing boat in Hayling Bay.

A crew from Hayling Island RNLI got on to both boats to assess the damage.

Senior helm Andy Ferguson said: ‘The fishing boat had sustained damage to the pulpit rail and the bow but no water was getting into the boat.

‘None of the crew on either boat were injured.

‘This was an unfortunate collision but a lucky one in that it did not result in any serious injuries.’

The call-out came at about 11.30am on Saturday.

The lifeboat was called out again the following afternoon when six rowers got into difficulties while taking part in a race around Hayling Island.

Alan Bartlett, from Hayling RNLI, said: ‘There the wind was causing some big rolling waves to build up over the Winner Bank and the boat became swamped with sea water.

‘Although some of the crew kept rowing while the rest were furiously baling out the water, they were not winning and so called for help.

‘Arriving on the scene the lifeboat crew found six wet, cold, rowers in a boat full of water.’

The gig was recovered and the rowers were taken back to the lifeboat station and given hot tea and blankets.