Today the good people of GAFIRS helped another stranded boat.
As my uncle and his friends left Wotton Creak in his sailing boat today, little did they know they were heading for trouble! Westerly blowing force 6 gusting 7 they were retreating to Portsmouth to cut short a weeks sailing due to the weather.
Suddenly the boat (under sail) starts heading to wind and not responding to wheel movements, odd they think, until they look over the back and see both rudders floating on the surface of the water!
No indication they had hit anything other than two broken rudders.
Yawling all over the place they get on the blower to solent coastguard who confirmed they could see them approxamatly 4 miles of Gilkicker and drifting on the wind and tide. GAFIRS was launched and with them within 40 minutes. (by which time they had gained some control and were making slow and wiggerly progress towards Gilkicker)
Tow line attached and drogue out the back they took tow into the Harbour. (Thanks to QHM for clearing the enterance). Safely tied alongside the divers went down and had a looksee. Both rudders broke within inches of each!!
Having fed the crew Tea and Cake they went on their way and back to their regular paying jobs.
Once i heard they were safe i could hardly control my smile when i heard my uncle (who has taken the rise out of me for having a rib) got rescued by......a rib!!!
But on a serious note, thanks to these guys no one was hurt and no lasting damage was done. The value of their work is seriously under estermated by many but the true value is not apparent until it effects someone close.
Where do i send my cheque?
