The most dramatic day was when the fleet was hit by a squall off Southport. The Montagu Whaler capsized in the middle of reefing drills off Southport Jetty - the main sheet jammed at an inopportune moment. People were taken off by driving the inflatable just over the gunwhales to make it easy for them to get in, leaving only the skipper aboard. The anchor had been deployed, but was tangled in other lines, and took some time to retrieve. Eventually ‘the Monty’ was slowly towed into harbour, still full of water. In the meantime Imagine had been caught on a surf beach, and another rescue boat, Flat Calm, had got into difficulties trying to assist them. It needed needed to be towed clear of the breaking waves. |