Ryde Inshore Rescue launched at the crack of dawn – quite literally – this morning (Wednesday) in response to reports of a broken-down RIB off Bembridge.
At just before 05:00, Solent Coastguard had been made aware that 4 persons were on board a stricken vessel after the boat had broken down whilst heading back to Bembridge Harbour. The foursome had spent the night fishing.
Although not in any immediate danger, as conditions were calm and the anchor was holding well, the decision was made to launch Ryde Rescue 1 to recover the persons on board at least.
Making best speed East, at an impressive 31 knots, Ryde Rescue was soon on scene. Here the helm made the decision to take the casualty boat under tow due to the close proximity of the RIB to the entrance of Bembridge Harbour.
With the boat and crew safely back in harbour, Ryde Rescue 1 left Bembridge as the tide was falling and headed back to base to be washed down and made ready for her next tasking.
and of course they were too stupid to have packed two oars/paddles in their boat for this very situation. In calm weather like that, they could easily have simply rowed/paddled that boat back to the harbour – it is small enough for two people to easily row it.
And ofcourse and old dumb person thinking they know everything but probably wouldn’t think they would have to need to when it gets to that point
I hope the occupants of the rib make a sizeable donation to Ryde Rescue.
I hope you would aswell