UPDATED: Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat, the Alfred Albert Williams, is currently assisting a 42ft yacht that is taking on water off the coast of the Isle of Wight.
The Tamar-class lifeboat hit the sea at around midday following a request to launch from Solent Coastguard.
Volunteer crew members have made best speed at 25kts to a position several miles south east of St Catherine’s Lighthouse – the most southerly point of the Isle of Wight.
It’s understood the casualty vessel has lost engine power.
It is expected that the yacht will be towed to a port of safety by Bembridge Lifeboat over the course of the afternoon.
UPDATE @ 13:55 – Thanks to the assistance of the lifeboat’s mechanic, the yacht’s engine is now running once again.
The vessel – with 6 persons on board – is making its own way to Gosport, escorted by the watchful eye of Bembridge Lifeboat.
UPDATE @ 17:00 – Rather than continuing onto her destination, Cherbourg, the yacht has returned back to her home port of Gosport.
Having shadowed ‘St Barbara’ for a short while to ensure that all was ok, the ‘Alfred Albert Williams’ returned to Bembridge and was recovered by 14:45.
