EIGHT lifeboats, both RNLI and independent, descended on Cowes from all parts of the Solent area for an annual gettogether.

As the bright orange craft assembled in the Royal Yacht Squadron marina they brought some cheerful contrast to a grey and rainy day.

Cowes Lifeboat operations manager, Mark Southwell, said that irrespective of how Solent lifeboats were funded, crewed and supported, they all did the same job and needed to know one another on a personal level.

Three stations did not send their boat or representatives as this would restrict their ability to respond to a possible emergency.

The chef at Cowes’ Globe Sports Lounge, just a stone’s throw from the RYS marina, produced 85 meals for the lifeboat crews and officers.