Thanks to John Keyworth from Bembridge Lifeboat for this latest report. Ed
The 24′ yacht Dream Catcher – with one person on board – having run aground whilst maneuvering along a channel inside Portsmouth harbour, was initially assisted by two dinghies manned by three people. These dinghies being unable to offer meaningful help in the prevailing weather conditions resulted in the yacht, two dinghies and four persons requiring assistance.
At 16.24pm Saturday 10th May, the Bembridge RNLI Lifeboat ‘Alfred Albert Williams’ was launched following a request from Solent coastguard. The weather conditions at the time of the launch and inside of Portsmouth harbour were a gusting force 9 ‘severe gale’ in brilliant sunshine.
Arriving on scene the Lifeboat deployed its ‘Y’ class lifeboat with two crew on board who having ascertained the four persons on the yacht were OK, took a tow line from the lifeboat and made it fast to the yacht. Pulling the yacht free with the two dinghies, all were towed to the Hardway sailing club pontoon close by to where the incident had occurred.
Having recovered the ‘Y’ boat the lifeboat returned to Bembridge and was re-housed at 18.42pm.
Image: © Bembridge RNLI
