located at the eastern end of the Isle of Wight, adjacent to the infamous Bembridge Ledge
Safety advice for coastal visitors during the COVID-19 outbreak
Our priority is keeping people safe in the sea and around our coast as it always has been. At a time when emergency services are already stretched we ask everyone to follow government advice. The RNLI is asking everyone to carefully consider the need to go to visit the beach, the coast or go into the water in case they get into difficulty. If you do choose visit the coast the RNLI water safety advice is;
- Take care if walking near cliffs - know your route and your limitations
- Check the weather forecast and tide times
- If going afloat, carry a means for calling for help and always wear a lifejacket
- If you fall into the water unexpectedly FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and Float
- In any coastal emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard
So far in 2020, the crew have been involved in 5 services (shouts) (2 ALB & 3 ILB) and have rescued or assisted (or potentially assisted) two people.
The most recent ALB shout was on 14th March 2020. The most recent ILB shout was on 31st March 2020. Click here for details of "shouts">>
In 2019, the crew were involved in 48 services (shouts) (29 ALB & 19 ILB) and have rescued or assisted (or potentially assisted) 74 people and one dog (excludes the passengers onboard 'Victoria of Wight' on 1st November!). Although the two shouts on 12th & 13th November have both been included, the numbers rescued or assisted have only been counted once. There were a number of 'Cancel Launches' - the most recent on 15th December. See History Timeline & News for more detail.
In 2018, the crew were involved in 38 services (shouts) (31 ALB & 7 ILB) and rescued or assisted (or potentially assisted) 74 people. There were a number of cancelled launches (both boats) She launched for training with an RN Merlin Mk2 helicopter from HMS Queen Elizabeth on 16th August. See History Timeline & News for more detail.
In 2017, the crew were involved in 52 services (shouts) (36 ALB & 16 ILB) and have rescued or assisted (or potentially assisted) 97 people, 3 dogs, an inflatable swan, 2 inflatable dinghies and a plastic traffic bollard! See History Timeline & News for more detail.
In 2016, the crew were involved in 45 services (shouts) (33 ALB & 12 ILB) and have rescued or assisted 77 people. See History Timeline & News for more detail.
In 2015, the crew were involved in 39 services (shouts) (30 ALB & 9 ILB) and rescued or assisted 86 people. See History Timeline & News for more detail.
In 2014 there were 33 shouts (29 ALB & 4 ILB) with 62 people being rescued or assisted. See History Timeline & News for more detail.
In 2013 there were 34 shouts (24 ALB & 10 ILB) with 67 people being rescued or assisted. See History Timeline & News for more detail.
Although changes may be necessary at short notice for operational reasons, the next planned ALB training launches are currently expected to be on:
No training launches currently planned due to the restrictions imposed to help halt the coronavirus pandemic.
Offshore Boathouse & Shop Opening Times
As a precautionary measure following the coronavirus outbreak the RNLI station shop and the Offshore Boathouse are closed to the public for the time being.
There have been no reports of any Bembridge volunteers experiencing symptoms of the virus at the station or while at home. However, since Bembridge attracts a large number of visitors compared to many other stations in the RNLI, it has been decided it would be sensible to keep it closed to the public for the time being.
Area Lifesaving Manager Ed Stevens said: ‘We realise this may be disappointing to the many people who enjoy visiting our shop and boathouse at Bembridge. However, our priority has to be ensuring the lifeboat station remains operational and able to save lives at sea. We look forward to welcoming visitors back into the building as soon as possible and thank people for their understanding’.
Alan Doe recently retired as a member of the shore crew
Cowes 'Solent' Get Together - Saturday 18th January 2020
Guild & Crew Christmas Dinner at Bembridge SC - 14th December
Christmas Carols in the Inshore Boathouse 12th December
Bembridge RNLI at Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival 2019
thanks to Pam and family
Excellence in Volunteering (November 2019)
President of the Isle of Wight Lifeboat Board retires on 10th September
Click here to read the Press Report
Excellence in Volunteering Awards
Robin Ebsworth (Chairman of the IoW Lifeboat Board) presenting John & Lesley Gulliver with their "Excellence in Volunteering" Awards at the Bembridge RNLI Guild AGM on Wednesday 15th May
Defibrillator (AED) formally adopted (17th April 2019)
With thanks to the Co-operative Funeral Care, Lane End Beach Huts Ltd, The Wight Strollers and 5 Star Pest Control
Open Day 2019 - 17th August
Street Fair & Yellow Welly Week 2019
Isle of Wight Swimsafe 2018 awarded top 'site'
Verena's Mural
Steve's Last Shout (30th June 2018)
Stormforce Morning (Saturday 23rd September 2017) & Isle of Wight Day
HMS Queen Elizabeth - Portsmouth 16th August 2017
(photo kindly by Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue)
British America's Cup Sailors meeting the Island's Next Generation
(Sunday 23rd July - Sea View Yacht Club)
photos by Harriet Hadfield
7th July 2017 Shout!
Photos by kind permission of Darren Toogood, The Island Echo.
150 years of Lifesaving at Bembridge (10th June 2017)
A fantastic day yesterday (Saturday 10th June). I am sure that there will be lots of better photos, particularly of the Ceremony, however I have uploaded the ones that I took to a web album - the link to view is:
History of Bembridge Lifeboat (June 2016)
Exciting news, Martin Woodward's fascinating and detailed "History of Bembridge Lifeboat" is available in the Bembridge RNLI shop so do come and buy a copy. A small number of signed copies are available in the Shop.
Photo by John Hendy (2016)
Visit the Inshore Lifeboat Centre in East Cowes
Based in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, the Inshore Lifeboat Centre (ILC) supplies and maintains over half of the lifeboats for all of our lifeboat stations, as well as our lifeguard units.
Fast growing in popularity as a visitor attraction, you can now book a free tour to come inside the ILC and new interactive visitor and heritage centre, where you’ll find out just what makes this site so vital to our lifesaving efforts. Alternatively call 01983 292521 (Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm. Guided tours are on Tuesdays & Thursdays and for 2020 will start at 11am. They last for an hour to an hour and a half. Group tours for schools, clubs and other visiting organisations are very welcome.
For more details visit: https://rnli.org/what-we-do/lifeboats-and-stations/building-our-lifeboats/inshore-lifeboat-centre
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.
Privacy & Security
Changes to our Privacy Policy
If you’re an existing RNLI supporter, the way you hear from us will depend on the preferences you expressed when you chose to opt in – or out – of our communications.
From 2 October 2019, the RNLI will use a new communication and contact policy. While we’ll still have an opt-in approach for email and text, we‘ll use Legitimate Interest as the basis for post and phone communications with new supporters. After reviewing our previous opt-in policy, we believe the combination of these two approaches will best meet the expectations of our supporters and the needs of the charity.
If you have previously opted in to receive RNLI communications, we’ll continue to respect the preferences that you last stated. But if you get in touch with us and fill in the new permissions statement, we’ll always use your latest instruction. Read our updated privacy policy in full below. To update your choices, head to our preferences page.
For more details see:
"With lifeboats, lifeguards and safety education the RNLI provides a ring of safety around the UK & ROI"
"With courage, nothing is impossible"
- Sir William Hillary, founder of the RNLI 1824