Bembridge RNLI’s all weather lifeboat was launched this afternoon (Sunday) to assist a fishing boat with 9 persons on board.
The chartered fishing boat ‘Shaka 2’ set sail from Langstone Harbour with a party of 9 people before they reported that they could not start their engine whilst off Whitecliff Bay, the most eastern point of the Island.
The lifeboat was quickly launched at 15:38 and was soon alongside the casualty vessel, where the weather conditions were quite rough with a strong force 6 SW wind. The lifeboat mechanic and a portable battery charger were transferred to the Shaka 2 and having rebooted the engine, the vessel was able to make its own way back to Langstone.
Shaka 2 was escorted to a position north of the lifeboat station and having re-covered the mechanic, Bembridge’s Alfred Albert Williams ALB returned to station and was rehoused by 16:45.
