The crew of a 38ft yacht that run aground on the Bembridge Ledge issued a mayday alert yesterday (Thursday) prompting Bembridge’s Inshore Lifeboat to launch.
With the onshore wind and a slightly rough sea breaking onto the ledge the yacht was being knocked about as it was grounded. As the tide was rising and by using reverse gear the yacht was able to take advantage of the waves, lifting her of the ledge before being able to reverse from the ledge into open sea.
Launching at 16:15, the Bembridge RNLI inshore lifeboat was promptly on scene and once alongside it was ascertained the two crew were ok, although it was felt there was probably damage to the yacht under the waterline.
With the possibility of damage the inshore lifeboat accompanied the yacht into Bembridge Harbour so that investigations could be carried out at one of the local boat yards.
On Sunday, the All Weather Bembridge Lifeboat was launched to an 8m chartered fishing boat with gearbox failure, 1/4 of a mile north of Seaview.
Launching at 20:30 the lifeboat was quickly alongside the casualty which had five persons on board, after set up a tow line the vessel was towed back to its berth at the East Cowes marina.
Having made the boat secure the lifeboat returned to Bembridge and was re-housed by 23:00 following the long trip up the Solent and back again.
