Venturer Rescue One was tasked on Friday 02-10-2009 evening to the assistance of the yacht "beefeater" when they lost engine power in the middle of the shipping channel of Calshot. As VR1 was launching at Calshot on exercise they were able to be on scene within two minutes. The vessel was taken in tow to Cowes and berthed safely alongside at Shepards Wharf.

Saturday passed without incident however Venturer Rescue one continued its good working relationship with the coastguard and completed a night time helicopter exercise with Rescue 104.

On Sunday VR1 was tasked by Solent Coastguard to launch to the assistance of a vessel aground in Newtown Creek. VR1 made good speed to the scene however shortly before arrival the Harbour Master towed the vessel clear. VR1 was still asked to proceed by the Coastguard and VR1 checked that the occupants were ok and that the vessel had not suffered and structural damage, all was well on board.

Late during the afternoon it came to the attention of the crew that a large diesel slick was appearing to come from the Beaulieu River. Venturer control scrambled VR3 to trace the source with VR4. Both boats proceeded in opposite directions and ascertained that the slick was from Gull Island to Lepe Spit and was coming ashore.

Solent Coastguard was advised of the situation and with their permission the Rescue Quad was dispatched from control to warn people on Lepe beach of the dangers. Especially as dogs were playing in the water on the beach as well as fishermen down by the launch area. Solent Rescue Independent Lifeboat also sent foot patrols to collect samples and warn the public.

Solent Coastguard also sent the Coastguard helicopter 104 to take photos and monitor the extent of the slick.

The coastguard called the Beaulieu River Harbour Master, and New Forest District Cancel, whilst ABP Southampton bought Environmental officers to the scene via Southampton Patrol Boat.

On Monday evening 05-10-2009 the Venturers Search and Rescue and Lymington RNLI Lifeboat completed a casualty handling exercise, immobilising a casualty aboard the baverstock vessel off Lymington who had suffered a broken arm and spinal injuries. The Lymington Lifeboat arrived on scene first and stabilised the casualty. Venturer Rescue One then arrived on scene with a spinal board and the casualty was carefully loaded onto the board and transferred to the Venturers vessel. The usual methods of calling larger boats and the CG helicopter were all complicated by various assets not being available meaning that Lymington and Venturers had to work together to deal with the situation and get the casualty ashore.

The exercise is the first one to show the newly developing working relationship between the Venturers and Lymington RNLI Lifeboat, it promoted team work between the services in a difficult situation.

The Venturers team would like to extend our thanks to Mike Crowe, 2nd Helm of the Lymington Lifeboat for his warm reception of our request to set up a training exercise and indeed to the rest of the crew for making a fantastic exercise happen.