Bembridge RNLI’s Inshore Lifeboat and All-Weather Lifeboat were launched this evening to assist a 30 foot sailing yacht aground in Priory Bay with 2 people onboard.
Both the RNLB Norman Harvey and the RNLB Alfred Albert Williams were requested by HM Coastguard to assist a 30 foot Bavarian sailing yacht with 2 people onboard that was aground in Priory Bay having dragged her anchor and had a rope around her propeller.
The inshore lifeboat Norman Harvey launched at 22:10 and the All Weather Lifeboat Alfred Albert Williams at 22:20.
Although the sea state was a bit lumpy, it did not take them long to reach the casualty vessel and assess that the safest thing to do was for the Norman Harvey to tow the yacht into deeper water and for the Alfred Albert Williams to then tow her to Portsmouth as there was insufficient water to enter Bembridge.
The Norman Harvey then returned to Lane End and was recovered by 23:00. Having safely put the yacht alongside a pontoon at Endeavour Quay by 00:05, the Alfred Albert Williams then returned to Bembridge and was recovered by 00:50.
Time all boats are insured to help with costs of this.
A very sound idea. (No pun intended.) Register with Lloyd’s of London, make ’em pass a basic seamanship examination, and insure them to the hilt. Sunday sailors might think twice afore putting to sea with no tender, no wireless, no Mae West’s, and no bally sea sense!