LIFE-SAVER’S NIGHTTIME MISSION ENDS IN DISASTER AS SEA SWAMPS LAUNCH VEHICLE

An overnight search and rescue tasking has ended in disaster for Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat after hitting a freak wave during the tricky recovery process, which has led to the charity’s launch tractor being swamped by the sea. It was around 23:00 last night that the volunteer lifeboat crew was tasked – for the second night in a row – to search for a vulnerable woman in the area of Luccombe, between Shanklin and Ventnor. Bembridge, Ventnor and The Needles Coastguard Rescue Teams were also involved in the incident, with Bembridge RNLI lifeboat eventually locating the woman and taking her ashore. Having spent several hours at sea, the lifeboat returned towards the shore at Sandown for recovery at around 03:30 this morning (Monday) – a task carried out hundreds of times over the years, without fault. However, a freak wave caught the crew off guard in dark conditions, resulting in the lifeboat missing the trailer and ending up on the shore. Thankfully, no injuries were sustained and the lifeboat escaped any damage. However, during the process of re-recovering the lifeboat, another large wave crashed over the launch tractor in 2m swells, killing the electrics. The tide has since surrounded the tractor unit, undoubtedly marking the end of its service. It’s understood the vehicle was coming to end of its operational life anyway, with a new launch tractor already being built. The Matbro tractor was previously completely rebuilt when a mechanical failure rendered it in-operable on a rising tide in early 2000. Sandown Lifeboat has been temporarily moored at Bembridge Harbour until such a time that it can be returned to the lifeboat station at Sandown. Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat is an independent charity that does not receive any government funding. It is not part of the RNLI, so all funds are raised locally. You can find out more and donate to their life-saving work at https://sandownlifeboat.com/.