Bembridge RNLI involved in two searches over the last couple of days
'RNLB Alfred Albert Williams' (Tamar all-weather lifeboat 16-17) was launched twice in the last 36 hours to help local Coastguard teams search for missing persons.
The Alfred Albert Williams was tasked initially to conducted a shore-line search from Long Ledge to Sandown Zoo. The Y boat (a small inshore lifeboat carried on the all-weather boat) with two crew onboard was launched at 2.07am so that the search could be to conducted closer in-shore.
Having found nothing, the shore-line search area was extended at 3:00am to Luccombe Chine (between Shanklin & Ventnor) and subsequently further west to Wheelers Bay & Woody Bay. At around 4.30am the CG helicopter (Rescue 175) managed to locate the missing person just off the coastal path in the Monks Bay area to the north east of Ventnor.
The Y boat was re-launched and the casualty was found alive but cold; however in conjunction with the local Coastguard team it was decided to take him direct to St Mary's Hospital by helicopter so the Y boat was recovered and the Alfred Albert Williams returned to Bembridge. She was recovered by 6.30am.
RNLB Alfred Albert Williams (Tamar all-weather Lifeboat 16-17) was launched again at 1.04pm on Tuesday 13 February at the request of UK Coastguard to assist the local Coastguard teams from Bembridge & Ventnor, Wight SAR and the Coast Guard Helicopter search for a missing person whose car had been found on Culver Down earlier in the day.
The Alfred Albert Williams was initially tasked to conduct a shore-line search from Whitecliff Bay to Sandown Bay. In the absence of any sign of the missing person, she was released by UK Coastguard at around 2.45pm and headed back to the offshore boathouse, however before she reached the slipway she was re-tasked for a further search a bit further offshore. When this failed to find anything she returned to the boathouse and was recovered by 3.45pm.
Steve Simmonds, Coxswain of the Bembridge RNLI lifeboat said: 'It was really satisfying that the eldery gentleman who went missing on Sunday afternoon was found alive and is now recuperating in hospital. Although sea conditions were relatively calm, it was very cold.
On Tuesday afternoon conditions were not nearly so nice; it was cold, wet and quite rough, so all credit to the crew that we were able to carry out such a thorough search.'
RNLI media contacts
Mike Samuelson, Bembridge RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07785 593254 or [email protected]
Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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