Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat was tasked to assist a 24ft motorboat off the coast of the Isle of Wight this afternoon (Friday).
Solent Coastguard requested the launch of the lifeboat at just before 14:30 after receiving reports that a vessel – with 3 persons on board – was taking on water following an engine failure in the middle of the busy Solent shipping lanes near No Man’s Land fort.
Volunteer crew members quickly assembled and launched down the slipway to rush to the casualty vessel’s aid. At the same time, Coastguard Rescue helicopter 175 was scrambled from Lee-on-Solent and made best speed to the scene.
Thankfully, the incident wasn’t as serious as first feared and therefore the helicopter was stood down.
Having ascertained that the water ingress was minimal, the ‘Alfred Albert William’s Tamar-class lifeboat established a tow with the motorboat and headed towards Chichester Harbour, where the tow was then transferred to Hayling RNLI’s inshore lifeboat.
Bembridge Lifeboat returned to the Offshore Boathouse and was recovered by 16:15.
