Carolyn Keene reports:  The Coastguard today, warned sailors to be fully prepared before going to sea, as four small boats needed assistance after becoming lost this morning in snow storms.
Coastguard rescue units were sent to help two yachts, one off the Isle of Wight and the other off Portsmouth. A yacht got into difficulty North East of Bembridge at 8.52am with Bembridge RBLI lifeboat attending and another got into difficulty on the approach to Portsmouth at which Gosport and Fareham Independent Lifeboat attended.
As snow storms travelled East along the South Coast, Solent Coastguard was also sent to assist, 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 said:
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“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.”
Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.