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Bembridge Lifeboat launched mid-afternoon Saturday 20 May 2023

Lifeboats News Release

RNLB Alfred Albert Williams (Tamar All-Weather Lifeboat 16-17) was launched at 3.20pm at the request of UK (Solent) Coastguard to assist a 30 foot yacht with three crew onboard that had suffered engine failure and was in the vicinity of Outer Spit buoy off Portsmouth.

Yacht under tow at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour

RNLI/Steve Stimson

Yacht under tow at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour
Conditions were relatively benign (Force 3/4 Easterly) so it did not take long to reach the yacht. Having assessed to options, it was decided that the safest one was to tow the yacht back to her berth in Haslar Marina. Initially it was an astern tow but as the yacht's berth was almost at the far end of the Marina, it was transferred to an alongside tow prior to entering the Marina. Having checked the crew were alright, the Alfred Albert Williams then returned to Bembridge and was re-housed by 5.30pm.

Coxswain Guy Willing said "This was a pretty straight forward service. Towing the yacht back to her berth was the safest option."

This takes the number of services carried out by Bembridge's two lifeboats since the beginning of the year to 23 - an unprecedented number.

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, 07785 296252 [email protected]

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


AIS track of the Alfred Albert Williams

RNLI/Mike Samuelson/Marinetraffic.com

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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