COASTGUARDS in Hampshire battled gale force winds at the weekend to attend five separate rescues in just three hours.
The Gosport Rescue 1 crew was sent out to its first call shortly after 12.30pm on Saturday, following reports of a yacht that had lost its mast close to Lee-on-the-Solent with eight people on board.
Rescuers towed the stricken yacht to safety.
Minutes later the crew was sent to a yacht run aground by Bramble Point in the middle of the Solent, though by the time they got there the sailors had freed the craft.
Gosport Rescue was then sent to a dinghy that had lost its mast in Titchfield Haven.
While returning to base, the crew was asked to go to Stokes Bay, where six dinghies had capsized.
Finally they were sent to rescue a 44ft yacht that had run aground in heavy weather on Ryde Sands.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article