Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat launched at the request of Solent Coastguard to assist a single handed 35ft cruising catamaran that was struggling to make progress yesterday evening (Thursday).
Battling against the tide off Ventnor with no wind and only a small outboard engine, the yacht requested assistance at just before 19:20. The ‘Alfred Albert Williams’ launched just minutes later and reached the catamaran at around 19:55 before establishing a tow.
After discussion with Solent Coastguard, it was agreed that it would be better for all concerned if the casualty yacht was taken to Portsmouth rather than to the Bembridge RNLI Offshore mooring. Solent Coastguard subsequently arranged for the tow to be transferred to the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service lifeboat for the final leg into Portsmouth.
Bembridge Lifeboat returned to station and was rehoused by 22:30.
