located at the eastern end of the Isle of Wight,
adjacent to the infamous Bembridge Ledge
After an initial burst in February, March & April were unusally quiet. So far in 2018, the crew have been involved in 10 services (shouts) (9 ALB & 1 ILB) and have rescued or assisted (or potentially assisted) 10 people.
There was a cancelled launch (both boats) on 30th May; also on 4th June (ILB?).
The most recent ALB shout was on 18th June 2018. The most recent ILB shout was on 19th February 2018. Click here for details of "shouts">>
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!
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 were cancelled launches on 7th April, 22nd July, 29th July, 26th Aug, 31st Aug & 12th Oct. Both boats launched on Sunday 23rd July to drop off Sir Ben Ainslie & Jono Macbeth at Seaview for the SVYC/RNLI Seaview Guild's Youth event. The ILB provided a presence off St Helens Fort on Wednesday evening 23rd August for the annual "happening". RNLB Alfred Albert Williams attended the naming ceremony for Selsey RNLI's new Shannon Class Lifeboat on Thr 21st Sep. She also launched on 27th Sep with IMRF European Lifeboat Crew Exchange (Estonia, Portugal, France, Denmark, Iceland, the Netherlands and Germany).
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 launch is expected to be on:
Tuesday 26th June at 19:00 (tbc)
Offshore Boathouse & Shop Opening Times
Swimsafe
photo RNLI/Chris Russell
Swim Safe is back! This summer, @RNLI and @SwimEngland are running free kids’ open water safety sessions at more beach locations across the UK than ever. Visit the new-look website to book your child’s free place at Sandown Beach on Isle of Wight, weekdays from 23 July to 17 August at https://swimsafe.org.uk/ #SwimSafe #RespectTheWater.
The 60-minute session is run by qualified lifeguards and instructors, and includes:
- Beach safety advice provided by qualified lifeguards on land.
- Up to 30 minutes in-water tuition with qualified instructors.
- All the right kit for swimming outdoors (including swimming hats, wetsuits, and swimming aids).
A parent or guardian must be present throughout the session and participants must already be able to swim 25m.
More information can be seen on the poster under the Sea Safety/Swimsafe 2018 menu.
Yellow Welly Week Photos (by Ken Orchard)
Bembridge features in the RNLI video clip at: https://www.rnlivideolibrary.org.uk/play/Q2yUBUJt
South Coast Yellow Welly Relay (Bembridge to Portsmouth - Fri 11th May)
photos by Ken Orchard & Peter Baxter
Ryde Junior School Donation
A big big thank you to the children of Ryde Junior School who have recently managed to raise over £4,000 for the RNLI. The cheque was presented to the crew during the Regatta held at SVYC on 26th April 2018
Stormforce Morning (Saturday 23rd September) & Isle of Wight Day
Fort Walk - 23rd August 2017
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 & Caroline Peel
7th July Shout!
Photos by kind permission of Darren Toogood, The Island Echo.
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:
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.
RNLB Alfred Albert Williams (Tamar 16-17) launching on Saturday 30th April 2016
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 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