Bembridge RNLI’s Inshore Lifeboat has responded to 2 incidents off the East Wight this afternoon (Saturday).
Solent Coastguard requested the launch of the ‘Norman Harvey’ at around 13:00 to check out a 25ft motor boat with 3 crew onboard that had been seen to hit the Bembridge Ledge and then continue on her way up the Solent.
Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team were also tasked to keep ‘eyes on’ the vessel whilst the lifeboat was launched.
The volunteer lifeboat crew eventually caught up with the motor boat off Seaview and having ascertained that they did not require any assistance, the lifeboat returned to Lane End and was recovered by 13:45.
After just 5 minutes ashore, the Bembridge crew was re-tasked to locate a RIB with 5 people onboard that had reported a badly damaged propeller after hitting some rocks in the Whitecliff Bay area. This was reported via 999 as the vessel did not have a working VHF radio.
It didn’t take long for the casualty vessel to be located and a tow was commenced back to the lifeboat station.
Having secured the RIB to the mooring buoy off the offshore boathouse, the 5 crew were brought ashore while it was decided what to do next as the owner and his family were holidaying on Hayling Island and were due to return home tomorrow (Sunday).
After efforts to arrange a commercial tow back to Hayling Island failed, the ‘Norman Harvey’ was relaunched and towed the RIB into Bembridge Harbour. Having berthed the RIB safely on the Visitors Pontoon by 15:55, the lifeboat returned to Lane End for the final time and was recovered by 16:00.
These people who get in a boat and sail around and really do not know the waters and geological area they are entering into are asking for trouble. Well done to the volunteers of the RNLI who go out and rescue these people who, ‘have all the gear but no idea’