Investigation After Yacht And Tanker Collide

Two people had to be rescued from the sea on the first day of Cowes Week when their yacht was in collision with an oil tanker, according to the coastguard.

At 3.20pm on Saturday August the 6th, Solent Coastguard was alerted that the yacht Atlanta of Chester, which was taking part in the Cowes Week yachting regatta, had been involved in the accident involving the tanker Hanne Knutsen off Egypt Point, Isle of Wight.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) spokesman said:

''Two people were thrown overboard by the collision and the yacht lost its mast and rigging.

''The Rhib (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) Vigilant took one of the people back to shore for medical attention whilst the Southampton Patrol Boat and Hamble Rescue took the second person to a waiting ambulance at Trinity Pontoon.

''The Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the MCA duty surveyor have been informed.

''The tanker continued to its destination at Fawley and the yacht has been towed to the UKSA berths at Cowes.''