Ashore on the Shingles Visitors to Lymington's boathouse during Lifeboat Stations Open Days on 26 May 1996 were treated to a taste of the real thing when their Atlantic was suddenly called away to a real 'shout', at first to assist Yarmouth's Arun but then diverted to to a yacht stranded on the Middle Shingle Bank at the entrance to the Solent.

Arriving on scene at about 1335 the lifeboat found the yacht, Racy Lady, well and truly aground with the seas kicked up by a Force 7 wind breaking completely over her hull.

It was too dangerous to put the lifeboat alongside, so crew member Falcon Hawkins swam a line across to establish the tow.

However as the Atlantic attempted to pull Racy Lady deaf the yacht's cleat pulled out from the deck, and it was decided that it would be safer to take off the three crew by helicopter. They were taken ashore and Falcon Hawkins was airlifted back aboard the lifeboat - his impromptu swim, and help with the helicopter transfer later earning him a letter of congratulations from the RNLI's Director..