AWL 47-031 'Voluntary Worker' launched at 1525 hrs to assist in the search for the 25-foot yacht ‘Ouzo’ missing with two male persons onboard. The search was instigated following the discovery yesterday, 22nd August 2006, of a body by the angling vessel ‘Maliki’, fully kitted out in yachting gear and wearing a lifejacket. The body was recovered by Bembridge Lifeboat and after positive identification today it was established that the man had come from the ‘Ouzo’ which had left Bembridge Harbour Sunday evening, 20th August 2006 at approximately 1930 hrs with a total of three male persons on board.
The ‘Voluntary Worker' arrived at the datum point 17 miles south of the station to start searching at 1626 hrs and commenced an expanding square search.
Meanwhile Bembridge, Yarmouth, and Freshwater independent Lifeboat were searching to the west. The whole area was being searched from the air by HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter ‘India Juliet’. As the helicopter was coming to the end of its endurance time it was asked to fly back to base via St Catherine’s Point. At 1833 hrs approximately 5.5 miles southeast of St. Catherine’s ‘India Juliet’ reported sighting a body and life ring in the water. At 1848 hrs Yarmouth Lifeboat recovered two bodies lashed together and the life ring from that position. The search was terminated and the ‘Voluntary Worker' returned to Station, arriving back at 1950 hrs, rehousing at 2000 hrs and was ready for service at 2030 hrs.
CREW: Martin Rudwick (Coxswain), Willy Pledger (2nd Coxswain), Geoff Mellett (Mechanic), Max Gilligan, Robert Archibald, Dave Lamdin, Sacha Borg.
WIND: SW F4. SEA: Slight. WEATHER: Cloud and rain showers.