Bembridge RNLI inshore and all-weather lifeboats called into action.
The Bembridge inshore lifeboat 'Norman Harvey' and all-weather lifeboat 'Frank and Anne Wilkinson' were launched within minutes of each other yesterday (Tuesday 20 June) to two seperate incidents.
Following a request from the UK Coastguard, the Norman Harvey launched at 5.50pm to a 25ft sports motor cruiser (Musn't Grumble) with two crew on board that had run aground and badly damaged her outdrive on the Bembridge Ledge off Paddock Drive.
Just five minutes later the Frank and Anne Wilkinson, a Tamar class all-weather lifeboat from the RNLI's reserve fleet, launched at 5.55pm to a 33 foot motor cruiser (Offshore Rebel) with four crew on board that had broken down approximately fifteen nautical miles SE of Bembridge.
Having successfully towed Mustn't Grumble back into deeper water, the Norman Harvey towed her to the visitors pontoon in Bembridge Harbour where they were met by the harbour staff and local Coastguard team; she then returned to the lifeboat station at Lane End Road and was recovered by 18:50pm.
The Frank and Anne Wilkinson meanwhile reached Offshore Rebel at around 18:25pm and took her under tow to the entrance of Langstone Harbour where she was handed over to RNLI Portsmouth Lifeboat Station's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat at around 20:00pm. The Frank and Anne Wilkinson then returned to Bembridge and was recovered by 20:30pm.
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.
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