
Bembridge All-Weather Lifeboat launches again in challenging conditions.
RNLB Alfred Albert Williams (Tamar All-Weather Lifeboat 16-17) was launched at 5.46 pm on Thursday 28 December at the request of UK (Solent) Coastguard to investigate a report of a black unidentified object that had been seen an hour earlier not far from Sandown Pier.
Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat had initially been tasked and had carried out a local search but sea conditions in the Force 8 WSW gale were such that they wisely returned to their boathouse. Bembridge and Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Teams and Coastguard helicopter Rescue 175 were also involved in the search. After extensive searches and in the absence of finding anything,
Rescue 175 returned to Lee-on-Solent at 7.50 pm. The Alfred Albert Williams was stood down at 8.25 pm and returned to Bembridge. She was recovered by 9 pm.
Deputy Coxswain James Pink said “Sea conditions were not quite as bad as the previous day but nevertheless they were still quite challenging. Although it would have been more satisfying to have located the object that had been reported, I was very pleased with we were able to cover the search area so thoroughly.”
RNLI media contacts
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Mike Samuelson, Bembridge RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07785 593254 or [email protected]
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Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 [email protected]
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For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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