located at the eastern end of the Isle of Wight, adjacent to the infamous Bembridge Ledge
HM Coastguard and RNLI launched launched their joint winter coastal safety campaign on 18th December. This Christmas and over the New Year holiday period, we’re expecting many more people to blow away the festive cobwebs with a visit to the coast. So we are reminding everyone to stay well back from stormy, wintery seas and cliff edges, to take a fully charged phone with them, to check tide times before they go and to remember to call 999 in an emergency at the coast. Stay Safe.
From Bembridge RNLI Water Safety - 26th December - Good evening everyone. Storm Bella is on her way. So please batten down the hatches and stay safe. This short video https://youtu.be/QDjlNtI8pCA will remind you of the power of the sea in storm conditions. Expect large waves all through tomorrow and beyond.
We would urge anyone planning a visit to the coast to follow RNLI safety advice:
• Take care near cliffs - know your route and your limitations
• Have a plan - check the weather forecast and tide times
• 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
• If individuals are choosing to go sailing or yachting it is important to ensure that equipment is properly checked and serviceable before going afloat.
• In any coastal emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
So far in 2021, the crew have been involved in 0 services (shouts) (0 ALB & 0 ILB) and have rescued or assisted (or potentially assisted) 0 people.
The most recent ALB shout was on 25th October 2020. The most recent ILB shout was on 25th December 2020. Click here for details of "shouts">>
In 2020, the the crew were involved in 51 services (shouts) (23 ALB & 28 ILB) and have rescued or assisted (or potentially assisted) 87 people (none included for the Nave Andromeda incident on 25th Oct).
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.
School & Group Visits
Due to Covid-19 and Government lockdown restrictions, visits to our boathouses to view our two lifeboats are not currently possible.
However, for any groups meeting remotely at this time, we can offer a virtual tour of our station, led by our coxswain, with additional details of the important water safety messages. These presentations can be tailored to your needs - please contact our Visits Officer deborah.meadows@sky.com to discuss if this might be of interest.
Virtual Tours of our Lifeboats
Sorry you can't visit our two lifeboats at the moment, however click on the links below for the next best thing!
D-Class Virtual tour - https://youtu.be/1cY-1iFBGWk
ALB Virtual tour Part 1 - https://youtu.be/4t7mZGnYcgs
ALB Virtual tour Part 2 - https://youtu.be/menCUzwEU3Y
Offshore Boathouse & Shop Information
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rnlibembridge-branch-lifesavers
Under current national Covid-19 restrictions we are unable to open our shop at the moment, but we will do as soon as the rules allow and it is safe to do so.
Special Boat Service Plaque (Nave Andromeda) Shout
Activity Packs for Children during the Lockdown
If you are looking for ways to get creative, then you can't go wrong with our free Storm Force activity packs. Full of colouring-in sheets, puzzles and activities for you to do with your family, friends, or just by yourself, you'll be able to disappear into a world of lifeboat-themed inspiration. And it's all completely free!
Plus, you'll also be learning important water safety advice that will help keep you safe the next time you visit the seaside. There are two activity packs for you to download, with more on the way.
| DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE ACTIVITY PACKS! |
RNLI 'Advice if you are looking to take a winter dip'
Alan Doe retiring as a member of the shore crew
Cowes 'Solent' Get Together - Saturday 18th January 2020
Guild & Crew Christmas Dinner at Bembridge SC - 14th December
Excellence in Volunteering (November 2019)
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
Verena's Mural
Steve's Last Shout (30th June 2018)
28th February 2018 Shout (Chandos)!
Christmas Star 2018
British America's Cup Sailors meeting the Island's Next Generation
(Sunday 23rd July 2017 - Sea View Yacht Club)
photos by Harriet Hadfield
150 years of Lifesaving at Bembridge (10th June 2017)
for me see: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm2gLRjw
History of Bembridge Lifeboat (June 2016)
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