Three men on a fishing trip caught something entirely unexpected after venturing into the Solent from Cowes in a 19 foot boat late on Friday night (December 13) – their rescue completed by Cowes RNLI lifeboat.
After the fishing boat had suffered engine trouble just outside the Cowes harbour breakwater the only option was to seek help by phoning the coastguards.
Tasked to respond to the emergency, the lifeboat launched at 9.38pm, and was soon on the scene of the boat, which by then was at anchor.
An alongside tow ensued, taking the boat up-river to a pontoon near The Folly.
The lifeboat eventually returned to its station shortly before 11pm.