Bembridge RNLI was tasked to assist in the search for a windsurfer reported to be in difficulty near Selsey Bill last night (Saturday).
At 20:12, HM Coastguard was made aware of reports of a windsurfer who was potentially in trouble off the West Sussex coast.
A search was conducted with assets including the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter, Selsey and Bembridge RNLI lifeboats and Hayling and Selsey Coastguard Rescue Teams.
Bembridge’s All Weather Lifeboat wasn’t brought into the search until 21:30. The Tamar-class lifeboat is currently moored off Lane End as the offshore boathouse is unable to be used due to a broken winch mechanism.
After a thorough investigation, all rescue teams were stood down with nothing found.
At the same time, the inshore lifeboat came across a yacht taking on water near Silver Sands, Bembridge. The boat had lost power.
The sole sailor was soon taken ashore and a search conducted for a tender that was lost. The casualty vessel was put on a mooring.
Elsewhere, Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team was mobilised to East Cowes shortly before 21:30 to reports of an object in the water.
A search was conducted in the vicinity of the Esplanade, but nothing was found in the fading light.
