Sailors get lost in the snow

Sailors get lost in the snow

LONDON. April 6, 2008/3mnewswire.org/ -- Solent Coastguard is warning leisure sailors to be fully prepared before going to sea with poor visibility forecast due to snow. Four small boats needed assistance after becoming lost this morning as snow storms travel East along the South Coast.

Rescue units were sent to help two yachts in the Solent this morning, the first at 8.35am on the approach to Portsmouth with Gosport and Fareham Independent Lifeboat attending and the second yacht got into difficulty North East of Bembridge at 8.52am with Bembridge RBLI lifeboat attending.

Solent Coastguard has also sent rescue units to help two small motor boats in the Shoreham area who became lost in poor visibility in snow with both Shoreham RNLI lifeboats attending these vessels.

Mathew West of Solent Coastguard says,
"Leisure sailors must check forecasts carefully and if poor visibility is likely then be prepared and competent to navigate in those conditions. This includes having on board a working VHF radio and GPS as well as being able to use maritime charts."

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