Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat was launched at 11:30 this morning (Friday) in response to a request from Solent Coastguard to assist the 50ft wooden motor fishing vessel ‘Veronica’ that had mechanical problems in the vicinity of Chichester Harbour entrance.
By the time the crew of Bembridge Lifeboat had located ‘Veronica’ – with 2 people and a dog onboard – she had managed to negotiate the harbour entrance with some assistance from Hayling Rescue, however in view of the inclement weather conditions and intermittent mechanical problems, it was agreed that she would be placed under tow.
Having ascertained from Solent Coastguard that there were no spare berths in Sparkes Marina – which is just to the west of the harbour entrance – the lifeboat established an alongside tow and took the Veronica all the way down to Chichester Marina where she was moored up on a waiting mooring.
The Tamar-class Alfred Albert Williams lifeboat returned to Bembridge and was recovered by 14:30.
