Bembridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat assisted 2 people when their 24ft motor boat ran aground on the way into Bembridge Harbour last night (Wednesday).
The ‘Norman Harvey’ D-Class Lifeboat was launched at around 19:30 when it was reported to Solent Coastguard that a sports motor boat had fouled its prop close to the entrance to Bembridge Harbour.
The Coastguard had initially requested the launch of the All Weather Lifeboat (ALB), but the decision was made to switch to the ‘Norman Harvey’ once it was realised that there was not enough water for the larger lifeboat to negotiate the harbour entrance channel safely.
On reaching the casualty boat, which was just south of No 4 buoy, it was clear that the problem was that she had in fact run aground. Having transferred a crew member to the motor boat to help navigate the channel, she was given a nudge by the ‘Norman Harvey’ and with the incoming tide she was able make her own way safely into the harbour.
The ‘Norman Harvey’ stood down from the incident and headed back to Lane End and was recovered by 20:30.
