Tracksuit Lads Rescued From Speedboat for Third Time – A Disaster Waiting to Happen!
A group of five tracksuit-clad lads have been saved from the sea for the third time in three weeks. Their latest drama unfolded after setting sail from Broadmarsh slipway this evening. Officials have slammed them as a “catastrophe waiting to happen” and urged them to “leave their boat at home and get proper training before someone gets seriously hurt.”
Third Rescue in Three Weeks
The hapless teens’ speedboat ran out of fuel while drifting from Langstone Harbour towards Hayling Island. Luckily, an RNLI lifeboat on exercise detected their distress calls and rushed to the rescue. The group had launched earlier in the evening but found themselves adrift in failing light without fuel or safety equipment.
One of the group even attempted a rescue mission himself by swimming ashore for fuel—only to forget a container to carry it back. The others called for help over radio, prompting the RNLI Portsmouth crew to scramble to their aid.
Not Their First Run-in With Danger
- Just last weekend, the same boat caught fire at Lee on the Solent, forcing Coastguard rescue teams to intervene.
- Two weeks prior, the engine caught fire again near a slipway in Lee-on-Solent, triggering another emergency response from Coastguard and Gosport and Fareham Lifeboats.
Despite repeated close calls, the group reportedly treats these rescues as a joke, frustrating rescuers and locals alike.
Local Fisherman’s Scathing Critique
A local fisherman, who witnessed tonight’s rescue, was unimpressed. Speaking anonymously, he said:
“This is not a joke. There was nothing funny about it. Every lifeboat launch costs the RNLI between £2,000 and £5,000. These lads are racking up a small fortune in rescue bills.”
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency declined to comment on the cost but stressed:
“We never put a price on human life. If we get a 999 call, we respond immediately and treat it as an emergency.”
RNLI’s Tough Warning
An RNLI Portsmouth spokesperson said:
“Upon receiving a distress call from Solent Coastguard, the Portsmouth Lifeboat Norma T abandoned training to rush to Langstone Harbour. Our crew found two of the men waist-deep in water holding their 14ft boat near the shore. One was showing signs of hypothermia but was treated onboard and improved quickly.”
Aaron Gent from RNLI Portsmouth warned:
“Boat users must prepare properly, seek training if unsure, check local conditions and tide times, and always inform a friend about their plans. Safety equipment, especially a working VHF radio, is vital. Unlike mobile phones, lifeboats can detect and track VHF signals.”
RNLI Launches ‘Respect the Water’ Campaign
This month marks the start of the RNLI’s ‘Respect the Water’ campaign, aimed at halving accidental coastal deaths by 2024. Hidden dangers around UK and Irish waters catch many people out each year. In 2015, RNLI lifeboats were called out 1,217 times to motorboats in trouble, mostly due to engine failure and lack of fuel.
If you want to stay safe on the water, visit RNLI.org/RespectTheWater for tips and advice.
