located at the eastern end of the Isle of Wight,
adjacent to the infamous Bembridge Ledge
So far in 2016, the crew have been involved in 40 services (shouts) (29 ALB & 11 ILB) and have rescued or assisted 69 people. Additionally, RNLB Alfred Albert Williams provided an RNLI presence & spectator boat support at the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series event off Southsea on 22nd, 23rd & 24th July; and RNLB Norman Harvey provided a presence off St Helens Fort on Sunday evening 21st August when c1,500 people walked to the Fort; she also supported IOW Day on Saturday 24th September.
The most recent ALB shout was on 31st August 2016. The most recent ILB shout was on 26th August 2016. The ALB crew were brought to immediate readiness on 12th May & 6th September but were subsequently stood down and not required to launch. Click here for details of "shouts">>
In 2015, the crew were involved in 39 services (shouts) (30 ALB & 9 ILB) and rescued or assisted 86 people. There were cancelled launches on 22nd April & 25th July. Additionally, the ALB provided a presence at the America's Cup World Series event in Portsmouth on 24th, 25th & 26th July, at the Bembridge Village Regatta on 1st August & the Sandown Bay Regatta on 9th August. The ILB provided a presence off St Helens Fort on Sunday evening 2nd August when c500 people "walked to the fort" & on Monday evening 3rd August when c2,000 people "walked".
In 2014 there were 33 shouts (29 ALB & 4 ILB) with 62 people being rescued or assisted (there was a cancelled ALB launch on 4th December & a cancelled ILB launch on 18th July. Additionally, the ILB provided a presence off St Helens Fort on Tuesday 12th August when c2,000 people "walked to the fort"!)
In 2013 there were 36 shouts with 67 people being rescued or assisted (there were two cancelled launches on 18th August, one on Friday 23rd August & one on 23rd November.)
Although changes may be necessary at short notice for operational reasons, the next planned ALB launches are expected to be on:
Wednesday 28th September at 19:00
Offshore Boathouse & Shop Opening Times
The Offshore Boathouse & Shop are now open daily from 11am to 4pm.
IOW Day (Saturday 24th September)
RNLB Norman Harvey supported the IOW Day Vessels Value Yacht Relay csrrying the flag from Seaview to Bembridge.
St Helens Fort Walk (Sunday 21st August)
Despite the forecast rain and the windy conditions, at least 1,500 people must have walked to the Fort on Sunday evening. RNLB Norman Harvey was present to provide immediate support and in addtion to having two volunteers at the Fort, the local Coastguard were also monitoring from Silver Beach. Although there were a number of close calls, fortunately no one actually required assistance from the ILB. It would be nice to think that part of the reason for this was because people had heeded the on-line advice from our Coastal Safety Officer - Alan Doe - at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-aI5O6KTc8
2016 Open Day (Saturday 20th August)
Despite the anticipated poor weather, the sun shone and Saturday's Open Day was a great success. Many thanks for everyone's support and the the crew & members of the guild who helped make it so successful. To read the Guild Chairman's more detailed report, please visit the Guild page.
History of Bembridge Lifeboat (June 2016)
Exciting news, Martin Woodward's fascinating and detailed "History of Bembridge Lifeboat" is now in stock in the Bembridge RNLI shop so do come and buy a copy. A small number of signe copies are available in the Shop, and Martin will be signing personalised copies at the Open Day and the next two Coffee Mornings.
Yellow Welly Week (28th May - 5th June)
What an amazing week. Well done to everyone who made is so successful. There were over 2,500 visitors to the Offshore Boathouse and during the week there were 972 meaningful conversations on Coastal Safety, 150+ converstaions with Dog Walkers, 28 Lifejackets were checked (10 with out of date heads), 4 buoyancy aids were checked and there were 130+ education conversations. Fantastic.
For some more photos of the week's activity click here
RNLB Alfred Albert Williams (Tamar 16-17) launching on Saturday 30th April 2016 (to support RNLI Cowes' "Yellow Welly May Day" event - photo by John Hendy)
Amazing Photos of the Lifeboat Station
Have a look at a few of Jamie Currie's amazing photos of the Lifeboat Station and the surrounding area in the Image Gallery. For a larger selection click here.
Jamie has generously agreed to make a £5.00 donation to the RNLI for any A4 or A3 photos sold and £2.00 for the 10 x 12 photos.
"With courage, nothing is impossible"
- Sir William Hillary, founder of the RNLI 1824