located at the eastern end of the Isle of Wight,
adjacent to the infamous Bembridge Ledge
So far in 2017, the crew have been involved in 13 services (shouts) (6 ALB & 7 ILB) and have rescued or assisted 15 people & 1 dog.
The ILB was placed on immediate readiness on Friday morning 14th April but stood down after about an hour and a half following the successful conclusion to an incident on Culver Down. There was a cancelled launch on 7th April.
The most recent ALB shout was on 20th June 2017. The most recent ILB shout was on 20th June 2017. Click here for details of "shouts">>
In 2016, the crew were involved in 45 services (shouts) (33 ALB & 12 ILB) and have rescued or assisted 77 people. Additionally, RNLB Alfred Albert Williams (Tamar 16-17) 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 (D-778) 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 ALB crew were brought to immediate readiness on 12th May & 6th September but were subsequently stood down and not required to launch.
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 launch is expected to be on:
Tuesday 27th June at 19:00 (but please check on the day)
Offshore Boathouse & Shop Opening Times
The daily opening times of the Offshore Boathouse & Shop over the half term (Saturday 27th May to Sunday 4th June inclusive) are 11am to 4pm.
150 years of Lifesaving at Bembridge
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:
Yellow Welly South Coast Relay - Friday 19th May
Although it did not involve a lifeboat, our Coxswain Steve got into the spirit of things on Friday afternoon and transported the "Yellow Welly" from the Lifeboat Station (where it had brought from the ILC in East Cowes by Glynn Ellis), to the Hovercraft Terminal in Ryde for onward movement to Southsea where it was met by members of Portsmouth RNLI.
A Recent Young Visitor
Isaac (aged 3) on holiday from Wiltshire
Handover of LOM
John Keyworth has taken over as the LOM (Lifeboat Operations Manager) from Mike Samuelson who reached retirement age in mid-January). Mike remains on the Visits, Education and Coastal Safety teams and has also taken over as the LPO (Lifeboat Press Officer).
Solent Get Together (Saturday 14th January 2017)
RNLB Alfred Albert Williams (Tamar 16-17) joined twelve other lifeboats from the six RNLI Lifeboat Stations & three Independent Stations located around the Solent at Cowes on Saturday for the annual "get together". Sandown & Shanklin Inshore Rescue came by road as their boat is currently off service as their tractor is undergoing its annual maintenance. The get together provided an excellent opportunity to meet with colleagues and develop relationships particularly with the Independent Stations.
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 signed copies are available in the Shop.
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