The volunteer crew of Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat spent over 7 hours at sea overnight assisting a 22ft yacht taking on water some 12 miles south of the Isle of Wight.
Solent Coastguard requested the launch of the Tamar-class lifeboat late last night (Tuesday) following reports of an elderly and disorientated skipper in difficulty south of St Catherine’s Point.
The ‘Alfred Albert Williams’ hit the water at around 22:50 and proceeded to the casaulty vessel’s last known position, arriving on scene at 23:45.
2 lifeboat crew members were transferred to the yacht and after carrying out a dynamic risk assessment it was decided to move the yacht out of danger by towing her to Portsmouth.
There was insufficient water to enter Bembridge Harbour.
Having safely put the yacht alongside a pontoon at Endeavour Quay, where Coastguard Officers from Portsmouth Coastguard Rescue Team were waiting, the Alfred Albert Williams returned to Lane End and was recovered by 06:15 – more than 7 hours after launching.
