Bembridge Lifeboat is a "Discover" RNLI station

located at the eastern end of the Isle of Wight, adjacent to the infamous Bembridge Ledge

The Offshore Boathouse & Walkway will re-open to visitors at 2pm on Wednesday 12th January. Daily opening hours until half-term will be 2pm to 3.40pm. Masks are required to be worn when inside the Boathouse. The Shop continues to be open daily from 2pm to 4pm.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rnlibembridge-2021-lifesavers

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.

Did you know - having a drink is the last thing that 20% of drowning victims do?

As the festive season fast approaches - Be a mate - Don't let your friends walk by water alone after drinking.

From Bembridge RNLI Water Safety Team - RNLI Local Ambassador Scheme. Do you have a business near the coast? If so, you could help save lives by promoting some of our key water safety messages. We’ll ask you to download and display our Water Safety Campaign Resources. In the downloadable pack we will detail what to do if you see someone in trouble and include our key water safety messages. This is so you can informally deliver safety messaging to customers and members of the public when the opportunity arises. Become an RNLI local ambassador. Share our advice. Save lives. Respect the water. To learn more please send a personal message to Alan Doe for more information.

So far in 2022, the crew have not been involved in any services or rescued or assisted anyone.

The most recent ALB shout was on 30th December 2021. The most recent ILB shout was on 26th December 2021. Click here for details of "shouts">>

In 2021, the crew were involved in 37 services (shouts) (19 ALB & 18 ILB) and rescued or assisted (or potentially assisted) 63 people (at least one of whom was definitely a life saved).

In 2020, 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 presentation.

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

360 viewing on-board the Lizard's Tamar Lifebout

Click: here

Recruiting (posted 2nd March)

We need you! With the Covid restrictions now being eased we are recruiting for Afloat and Shore Based crew. Both positions have full training to become part of the RNLI family at Bembridge. For more information of what is involved please contact John Keyworth, the Operations Manager, on 07725 432990

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; for the time being please contact Deborah if you would like details of how to get them.

Bryan Jones (Mechanic) retires

Well that’s me done! After 15 years I’ve decided to hang the oilskins up.

It’s been a privilege to serve on the Bembridge Lifeboat alongside a fantastic group of people - the crew, the shore crew and the guild members who work tirelessly to make the station something to be really proud of.

I’ve been lucky enough to serve on three classes of lifeboat during my time. Starting with the Tyne class, then operating the carriage launched Mersey during the construction of the new boathouse and Tamar lifeboat.

I would like to thank my deputy mechanics, Denny Seymour, Richard Bishop, Justin Gentleman, Paul Butler and more recently John Attrill for supporting me in my role and always stepping up when required.

Wishing John Attrill all the very best as my successor and I’m sure he will do an excellent job.

Thanks as well to Stacey Flanagan and our 3 now grown up children for putting up with what could sometimes be a very anti social role!

Wishing the Bembridge crew and all lifeboat crews around the coast ‘fair winds and following seas!’

Low Water Launch on 7th September 2021

(photo by Piers Trenear-Thomas)

Open Day 2021

Thank you so much for your generous support at last Saturday's Open Day (14th August). It was a great success and rained nearly £4,000. See the Bembridge Guild page for more details.

Young Fundraisers

The Grimaldi grandchildren after presenting Guy the proceeds (£218.46) they have raised over the summer holidays from selling home made crafts and cakes. Fantastic. This is the second time they have raised funds for Bembridge RNLI.

Young Cakemaking Fundraisers

Molly Gilbey and her cousin Annie Clegg usually make cup cakes for the RNLI but thought better of it this year with the pandemic and people not carrying cash and were determined to raise as much as possible by baking for their grandmother & Guild member Sally during the holidays. Between them, they have raised £70 [not their usual amount, alas!] so a big thank you girls.

MayDay Mile

A big thank you to George, Henry & Freddie who were the first young people to complete a full MayDay mile last Tuesday (1st June)

RNLI 'Advice if you are looking to take a winter dip'

https://youtu.be/7zLTW7cIFSI

Special Boat Service Plaque (Nave Andromeda) Shout

Alan Doe retiring as a member of the shore crew

Cowes 'Solent' Get Together - Saturday 18th January 2020

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

Photos by Ken Orchard

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.

Pre-Covid there was an increasing visitors programme, however sadly the Centre is currently closed to the general public. We will update this as soon as visits become possible again.

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

At the RNLI we’re committed to treating everybody’s personal information responsibly and being open and transparent about how we do that. This notice explains in detail how we use the information you share with us, and what measures we take to protect it.

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.

"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