Bembridge RNLI hit the water for the second time in just over 12 hours during the early hours of this morning (Saturday) to locate and assist a 30ft catamaran called ‘Fortunella’.
The Alfred Albert Williams (Tamar 16-17) All Weather Lifeboat launched at around 02:40 at the request of Solent Coastguard to assist the catamaran – with 1 crew member on board – that had broken down and was becalmed in the Sandown Bay area.
Portsmouth RNLI’s Atlantic 85 had been tasked earlier to search for the boat but because communications had been very intermittent, Solent Coastguard wisely decided to use the Tamar’s better search capability to find the casualty vessel. The ‘Fortunella’ was located by the Alfred Albert Williams and her volunteer crew at around 03:20 and towed into Haslar Marina where she was berthed by 05:15.
Bembridge lifeboat returned to station and was rehoused by 05:45.
