A 33ft yacht that became dismasted in the seas off the Isle of Wight was towed to the safety of Bembridge Harbour last night (Saturday).
Solent Coastguard requested the launch of Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat at just before 19:10 following a Pan Pan alert from a casualty vessel located 4 miles South East of the lifeboat station.
It had been reported that the sailing vessel – with 4 persons on board – required assistance after becoming dismasted.
Volunteer lifeboat crew made best speed to the yacht ‘Atomic’ as although the stricken crew said they had the situation under control and were recovering what they could of the mast and rigging, the weather was reading 20 knot winds from the South West.
Once on scene 2 lifeboat crew members were transferred onto the yacht to assess the situation. After weighing up the options it was decided to tow the yacht to the safety of Bembridge Harbour.
Coastguard Rescue Officers from Bembridge Coastguard Team were waiting at the visitor’s pontoon to assist with bringing the yacht alongside and providing assistance to the 4 crew members.
Bembridge Lifeboat – the relief boat Frank and Anne Wilkinson – returned to the Offshore Boathouse and was re-housed by 21:30, almost 2-and-a-hour hours after launching.
Dismasted? Demasted surely ???