
Bembridge RNLI keep Round the Island Race competitors safe
Bembridge RNLI support in keeping competitors safe during The Round the Island Race 2024 on Saturday 15th June 2024
The Round the Island Race is one of the largest organised yacht races in the world and how lucky are we that it is on our doorstep! This notorious race sees approximately 1,000 participants from all levels compete – from Olympic professionals through to amateurs.
The RNLI and Coastguard have supported in keeping competitors safe during this infamous event since its conception in 1931 therefore it was an appropriate choice to have the RNLI as the official charity this year.
The weather was monitored closely in the run-up to the day and with the weather forecast to be challenging on Saturday the 15th various classes were cancelled by officials for safety reasons ahead of the race. However, the remaining fleets set-off at 06:00 from Cowes with more backing out by the time they reached The Needles due to conditions.
Bembridge Ledge was lively with spectators and their cameras at the ready waiting to capture the fleet as they sailed by. Bembridge RNLI launched RNLB Alfred Albert Williams (All-Weather Tamar 16-17) at 10:00 as conditions was not showing any signs of letting-up and we wanted to be on-hand immediately if any incidents occurred.
Shortly after launching, the All-Weather lifeboat was tasked to a man overboard from a yacht near Ventnor area, 2nd Coxswain James Pink and the crew travelled with speed safely given the challenging and potentially dangerous conditions. Whilst en-route the Coastguard were able to ascertain that this was a false activation, and we were stood down. Following this at 10:41 we were tasked to another man overboard but this time to a yacht off St Catherine’s Point, Walkabout IV, once again the crew travelled at best speed arriving to the yacht in question at 11:03. By this point the person was fortunately recovered from the sea and although they were wet and shaken up from the experience, they were unharmed and happy to continue the yacht to finish the race.
We received an email from a crew member of Walkabout IV who confirmed that the man overboard was up and about making hot drinks for everyone soon after the incident, however the crew who wrote to us himself suffered a broken leg which he discovered when he couldn’t stand up! He gave a special thanks to Bembridge crew, ‘If I could thank all of you aboard and ashore for your support in trying conditions your presence was very reassuring’.
Throughout the day conditions were far from perfect but luckily these were the only two incidents that the All-Weather lifeboat was requested to attend.
At 11:00 RNLB Norman Harvey (D-Class inshore lifeboat D-778) was launched to monitor the yachts coming round Bembridge Ledge Buoy and transiting up through the Solent back to Cowes. The Inshore lifeboat crew were not tasked on any calls.
After a long day out at sea and bumping into fellow RNLI crew from Portsmouth and Calshot stations both lifeboats rehoused at approximately 15:00.
2nd Coxswain, James Pink, commented ‘It was an honour to be the official charity for Round The Island Race this year and what a year! We had force 7 winds with 4-to-5-meter seas. Fortunately, most of the boats that proceeded with the race battled through the conditions safely. The crew and me are looking forward to next year already!’.
It is important to note and give thanks to both shore and lifeboat crew, as well as operational volunteers that took part and ensured the smooth running of launching both lifeboats from our stations and keeping all competitors safe.
Shore crew: Martyn Davies (Launch Authority), Rob Townson (ALB Head Launcher), Marc Thwaites, Andrew Cooper, Colin Hawes, Guy Mason, Simon Austin, Amy Attrill, Gareth Millington, Hannah Hornig
All-Weather Tamar Lifeboat crew: James Pink (2nd Coxswain), Justin Gentleman (Mechanic), Duncan Bates (Crew), Ken Ratcliffe (Cas Care & Crew), Jason Clarke (Navigator), Martin Keyworth (Lead Cas Care and Y Boat Crew), Fred Milne (Helm and Y Boat Helm)
ILB D-Class crew: John Attrill (ILB Helm and Mechanic), Tom Ferrier (ILB Crew), Charlie Vigors (ILB Crew), Steve Stimson (ILB Crew)
Operations: John Keyworth (LOM)
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.