BOAT ADRIFT OFF BEMBRIDGE LEDGE LEADS TO LIFEBOAT LAUNCH

An empty boat seen drifting off Bembridge Ledge – after it is thought to have been stolen nearby – prompted the launch of Bembridge Lifeboat earlier this evening (Tuesday). Bembridge RNLI’s D-Class inshore lifeboat was launched at around 19:45 when it was reported that a small open tender was at sea in the local area. It’s thought that the boat had been stolen and ‘joyrided’ by 4 individuals, before the group came ashore. The boat is then thought to have been pushed back out to sea. To ensure no persons were in difficulty and to prevent future calls to the boat, the lifeboat conducted a local area search and recovered the vessel to the shore at Paddock Drive, where Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team was waiting to assist. Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter – which was training in the local area – also responded to the incident, conducting a short sweep of the Ledge.