CHRISTMAS EVE SHOUT FOR BEMBRIDGE LIFEBOAT AS YACHT LOSES POWER

Volunteer crew members from Bembridge RNLI manned the lifeboat during the early hours of this morning (Christmas Eve) to assist a lone sailor in the Solent. Solent Coastguard requested the launch of the All Weather Lifeboat at just before 03:45 to assist a 35ft sailing yacht – with 1 person onboard – reported to be in difficulty with no engine close to North Sturbridge buoy, to the north west of No Mans Land Fort. A 22m guard vessel ‘Haulbowline’, that was operating in the area, stood by until the ‘Alfred Albert Williams’ lifeboat arrived on scene. A tow to Portsmouth Harbour was quickly set up and the casualty vessel was safely berthed at Gosport Marina at around 04:20. Bembridge Lifeboat was successfully recovered into the boathouse by 05:00, with crew members battling quite rough conditions in a Force 7, gusting Gale Force 8 Westerly.