Bembridge RNLI’s Inshore and All Weather Lifeboats were both launched to assist a 27ft motor cruiser off the coast of the Isle of Wight last night (Saturday).
‘Norman Harvey’ – the D-Class Inshore Lifeboat – was launched at around 20:30 following a request from Solent Coastguard.
It was reported that a 27 foot motor cruiser, with 3 crew onboard, had suffered engine failure having ‘blown up’ about three quarters of a mile east of Bembridge Lifeboat Station.
It didn’t take the Inshore Lifeboat long, under a full moon and gentle Southerly breeze, to reach the motor cruiser and take her under tow towards Bembridge Harbour.
However, on reaching the area of the Offshore Boathouse it was decided to launch the ‘Alfred Albert Williams’ All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB) to tow the vessel back to her home port of Portsmouth. The handover was quickly carried out and the ‘Norman Harvey’ was recovered by 21:30.
The ALB reached Portsmouth by 22:15 and having safely berthed the motor cruiser alongside at Gosport Marina – where the casualty vessel was met by Hillhead Coastguard Rescue Team – she returned to Bembridge and was recovered just after 23:00.
