Bembridge RNLI lifeboat was launched at the request of Solent Coastguard earlier this evening (Sunday) following the activation of an emergency signal.
The All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) was tasked at 18:40 to conduct an expanding box search to the south east of No Mans Land Fort following a report by the P&O cruise ship ‘Ventura’ of a Search & Rescue Transponder emergency signal being transmitted in the area.
The temporary Tamar-class lifeboat ‘Frank & Anne Wilkinson’ was quickly on scene and started her search, however after only 4 legs was re-tasked to check out 2 sailing vessels ‘Castalia’ and ‘Hot Stuff’ who had been in the area and were by then heading towards Cowes.
Both vessels were quickly located off Ryde; the Coastguard meanwhile had managed to identify the make and number of the Search & Rescue Transponder that was transmitting. The yacht ‘Hot Stuff’ then confirmed that it was one of theirs which had somehow been switched on in error and that they were in no difficulty.
Bembridge ALB returned to station and was recovered by 20:00.
