UPDATED: Bembridge RNLI are aiding a dismasted yacht around half a mile off the lifeboat station this afternoon (Saturday).
The volunteer crew, who were already afloat in the D-class inshore lifeboat, were tasked to aid the Round the Island Race competitor at just before 13:30.
The lifeboat and her crew are now alongside the casualty vessel and are working to establish a tow.
Meanwhile off Ventnor, lifeboats are aiding a yacht with a broken rudder.
Today’s Round the Island Race saw over 1,500 competitors set off from Cowes at 08:30 this morning. The annual race results in all of the Island’s independent and RNLI lifeboats launching to provide safety cover, alongside a coastal watch from Coastguard Rescue Teams at The Needles, Ventnor and Bembridge and The Needles Coast Watch team.
UPDATE @ 16:00 – The dismasted yacht, ‘Alien II’, has been towed to a mooring off Bembridge Lifeboat Station.
Over in the West Wight, the yacht ‘Alchemist’ hit the wreck of SS Varvassi off The Needles earlier today and sunk. Yarmouth RNLI and Mudeford RNLI came to the aid of the crew, who have been uninjured.
Yarmouth RNLI are now assisting a yacht that has lost its rudder off Sandown Bay, whilst Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat transfers the tow of the yacht ‘Incognito’ to Gosport Lifeboat. It is thought the yacht suffered a lost rudder off Ventnor earlier this afternoon.
