A training night turned into a live shout for the volunteers of Bembridge RNLI this evening (Tuesday) when a boat went aground on Bembridge Ledge.
Just as the lifeboats were launching on exercise, it became known that a 28ft motor boat with twin outboards and 4 people onboard had run aground on the notorious Ledge.
While the All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) ‘Alfred Albert Williams’ stood by – and launched the Y boat in case it could assist – the inshore lifeboat (ILB) ‘Norman Harvey’ managed to pull the motor cruiser free.
As the casualty vessel could not start the engines, the ILB started to tow her towards Bembridge Harbour.
On getting opposite the Offshore Boathouse, the skipper of the motorboat advised that he had managed to get the engines going and was happy to make his own way back to his berth in Bembridge Harbour.
The Norman Harvey followed her to just make sure all was ok and then returned to Lane End and was recovered by 20:30.
Haven’t these boat owners heard of a depth sounder,it seems to me a case of all the gear no idea !!
I hope they get charged for recovery.
I do hope the rescued party make a decent donation to the people who bought them to safety.