All Weather Lifeboats from Bembridge and Yarmouth have launched into the darkness tonight (Sunday) as part of a search for a possible vessel in distress off the South of the Isle of Wight.
Both boats have battled the elements to reach the St Catherine’s Point and Blackgang area having been tasked to launch by Solent Coastguard at around 19:25.
Land-based Coastguard Rescue Teams are also present in the area and have been seen to set off a number of flares to illuminate the remote and dangerous stretch of coastline.
Stormy conditions – Force 8 to 9 – will no doubt be hampering search efforts, as well as increasing the risk to the volunteer search and rescue teams, as well as the potential casualties.
UPDATE @ 21:54 – HM Coastguard has confirmed that the search was prompted by a PanPan call on Channel 16 near to Chale Bay.
No vessel in distress has been identified and the search has been suspended, pending further information.
UPDATE @ 22:40 – A spokesperson for Bembridge RNLI has tonight said:
“Bembridge RNLI’s All-Weather Lifeboat (RNLB Alfred Albert Williams) was launched just before 7.40pm this evening to investigate a faint Pan Pan (Urgency) call that had been received from the area of Chale Bay.
Article continues below this advertisement “RNLB Alfred Albert Williams (Tamar All-Weather Lifeboat 16-17) was launched at 7.40pm this evening at the request of UK (Solent) Coastguard to investigate a faint Pan Pan call that had been received from the area of Chale Bay.
“Yarmouth RNLI’s Severn Class All-Weather Lifeboat (RNLB Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer) 17-25) was also tasked; as was Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team.
“Conditions were rough (at the time of the launch and for the duration of the shout, Chimet was registering a Westerly Force 8, gusting Force 9 gale) which limited their transit speed to around 15 knots (7 knots approaching St Catherine’s Point) and made searching extremely difficult in the 65 knot gusts and 6 to 7 metre waves.
“Having liaised with RNLB Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer) and in the absence of any sign of a casualty vessel, the Alfred Albert Williams was released by UK (Solent) Coastguard at 9.15pm and returned to Bembridge considerably quicker as it was downwind/down sea. She was recovered by 10.10pm.”
UPDATE @ 23:21 – A spokesperson for Yarmouth RNLI has tonight issued a press release which reads:
“Yarmouth’s Severn class all weather lifeboat, Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer), was tasked to launch by HM Coastguard on Sunday 20 February 2022 at 7.23pm having received a Pan Pan being transmitted from an area near Chale Bay.
“Yarmouth RNLI’s volunteer crew headed west out of Yarmouth harbour against the tide towards the Needles, where wind gusts had already reached over 66 knots.
“Once in the vicinity south west of St Catherine’s, Yarmouth’s ALB (all weather lifeboat) rendezvoused with the Bembridge RNLI’s Tamar Class ALB as part of the multiagency search, along with teams from the Needles and Ventnor Coastguards.
“After a combined search of the area (both land and sea) by coastguard and lifeboat teams, no casualties were located. The decision was made to scale the search down due to deteriorating weather, visibility and sea conditions. A further search was made by Yarmouth and Bembridge RNLI crews as they returned to their stations.
“Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat returned to the harbour and was ready for service at 10.50pm.
“The RNLI remains an independent charity that relies on voluntary contributions to fund its lifesaving work.”
Yarmouth Lifeboat Coxsewain, Howard Lester, said:
“We would like to urge everyone to be aware of weather forecasts and the current warnings, to be cautious and to stay safe in areas around the coast.”
You guys and girls do a fantastic job. Going out in very rough seas, risking your lives to help others is remarkable. It must have been a tough night last night, the wind was horrendous. Glad you all got back safely.
Always there regardless, risking their lives for those in distress. Thank you both Bembridge and Yarmouth crews. For those that have read this article try to put a donation to the RNLI. Thank you again to all the volunteers, stay safe in keeping us safe.
Wow, I bet that was an awful evening as the weather is atrocious. Keep up the good work, you all do an amazing job. I’m not actually sure why someone would even contemplate going out to sea in this weather, as these guys have to risk their lives glad they all returned safely with no casualties. X
Glad that both Lifeboats got back safely in which was tremendous conditions. You would think IF the boat sending the Pan Pan got home, they would have let u know.You all deserve a medal for going out in those conditions.
Just wondering, HM Coastguard is a government-funded organisation but they rely on the RNLI, a voluntary organisation, to rescue people at sea. Does HM Coastguard only guard the coast with no remit to rescue people or do they, perhaps, pay the RNLI for their services? Strange set up. Perhaps somebody in the know could comment?
The RNLI receives no payment for rescues carried out. Just after starting up nearly 200 years ago, it received government money. After 10 years of government interference, it reverted to a charity.
HM Coastguard do still rescue people in difficulty on cliffs and other inaccessible places as they are trained for that situation. They can also be tasked to assist other emergency services too. I believe the Coastguard also has volunteers, excluding senior ranks who are paid, but I’m not sure for certain about that. Don’t forget that the independent lifeboat stations are also volunteer-run, and they too can be tasked by HM Coastguard