LIFEBOATS from the Isle of Wight and Hampshire poured into Cowes Harbour for their annual get-together.

Leading the way into the Royal Yacht Squadron‘s marina was the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat from Bembridge — to be followed by a number of RNLI and independent inshore lifeboats.

Crews from the lifeboats were joined by other lifeboat teams who had come by road, as well as coastguards from Fareham and the Ventnor unit.

A lunch was held at the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s premises.

Mark Southwell, lifeboat operations manager at Cowes RNLI, said: “I believe co-operation is the key to success during a co-ordinated rescue at sea and what better way than to talk to each other face to face.

"We explained this to many inquisitive members of the public and it was rewarding to hear them say how important they feel communication is and how much they respect everyone involved in rescues at sea. "

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