Busy afternoon for Bembridge RNLI

The launch followed an earlier incident when a 25ft motor boat hit what they thought was a semi-submerged object in the main shipping channel to the north west of No Man's Land Fort. The boat was towed into Portsmouth by an RNLI Shannon lifeboat that was on passage in the area.

After an extensive search (see attached photo of her AIS (automatic identification system) track) and having only found a piece of timber and a plastic traffic bollard, the Frank and Anne Wilkinson returned to Bembridge and was recovered by 5.45pm.

Later that day Bembridge's inshore lifeboat Norman Harvey (D-778) and its volunteer crew launched at around 6.30pm to provide a presence off St Helens Fort for the Isle of Wight's annual 'Fort Walk'.

'Despite the large number of people walking, the annual 'happening' was incident free and the Norman Harvey was recovered by 8pm,' said Bembridge RNLI lifeboat press officer Mike Samuelson. 'Although there were inevitably a number of people who appeared ill prepared for the walk, it was encouraging to see lots of children wearing buoyancy aids, as were a number of dogs!'

RNLI media contacts

• Mike Samuelson, Bembridge RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07785 593254 or [email protected]

• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

• Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 620 7416 07786 668825

· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.