Bembridge RNLI launched at the request of Solent Coastguard to assist a broken down 36ft charter angling boat this morning (Saturday).
‘Torbay Bell’ – with 9 anglers plus the skipper onboard – broke down with gearbox problems close to The Winner (South Cardinal Mark) in Hayling Bay on the other side of the Solent.
The Frank & Anne Wilkinson relief All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) reached the Torbay Bell at around 11:30. Once alongside, the mechanic went aboard the Torbay Bell to see whether he could effect a temporary repair. When this proved impossible a tow was set up and the Torbay Bell was towed to her mooring in Langstone Harbour.
The anglers were transferred ashore via the Hayling Ferry pontoon and the Frank and Anne Wilkinson returned to Bembridge, recovering to station by 13:05.
Yesterday evening (Friday) the All Weather Lifeboat was launched just after 18:35 to assist another 36ft vessel, the motor cruiser ‘Retallack’ with 1 person onboard.
The Retallack had reported that she was in difficulty 5 miles south of St Catherine’s Point, prompting the immediate response of Bembridge’s volunteer lifeboat crew.
Bembridge Lifeboat reached the Retallack at around 19:20 and although the skipper was uninjured, he was clearly exhausted and disorientated. As it was too rough to risk transferring a crew member to assist the skipper, he was persuaded to follow the Frank and Anne Wilkinson into smoother waters where a crew member was then transferred to the Retallack and she was then escorted into Haslar Marina.
The Frank and Anne Wilkinson left Gosport at 21:48 and returned to Bembridge and was recovered by 22:20.
