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Bembridge All-Weather Lifeboat launches in very rough conditions.

Lifeboats News Release

RNLB Alfred Albert Williams (Tamar All-Weather Lifeboat 16-17) was launched at 3.32 pm this afternoon (Wednesday 27 December)) at the request of UK (Solent) Coastguard.

Shows the AIS track of RNLB Alfred Albert Williams

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AIS track of RNLB Alfred Albert Williams

Her task was to locate and assist a 17 foot boat with a small cabin with 6 people on board reported as being 3 miles south of the Nab Tower and taking in water. Sea conditions were rough in the Gale Force 8 SSWesterly and visibility soon reduced to about 100 metres.

Coastguard helicopter Rescue 175 was also tasked and after both had carried out a search of the area, UK (Solent) Coastguard concluded that the call had been a hoax and at 4.24 pm the MAYDAY was cancelled and both were stood down. The Alfred Albert Williams returned to Bembridge and was successfully re-housed by 5 pm.

Not a pleasant afternoon to be out at sea! Indeed, the crew lead by Deputy Coxswain James Pink reckoned they were the worst conditions that any of them had ever experienced.

Coxswain James Pink said “Obviously its better to be safe than sorry but we were all quite pleased when the Coastguard cancelled the MAYDAY and stood us down having concluded that it had been a hoax call. Conditions were certainly pretty challenging.”

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

Photo of the sea state from the Navigator's window

RNLI/Ollie Joy

Rough conditions on the way to the search area
Photo of a crew member well strapped in

RNLI/Ollie Joy

Well strapped in
Photo of the rough sea conditions during the search

RNLI/Ollie Joy

Rough conditions during the search

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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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.

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