Thanks to Ken Orchard, Bembridge RNLI Lifeboat Guild Press Officer for sending in the following report from the Bembridge Lifeboat open day. ed
The Lifeboat Open day on the 20th August was held once again at the lifeboat station at Lane End, the first time since the completion of the new station.
The event saw a large number of visitors to the boathouse with over 500 people going aboard the all- weather lifeboat over the course of the day. On shore, together with the souvenir shop, there were entertainments and stalls with items for sale and a raffle.
Overall, the event raised over £2,000 towards RNLI funds. The all-weather lifeboat, “Alfred Albert Williams” was launched later in the afternoon and together with the inshore lifeboat “Dorothy Beatrice May Gorman”, entertained a large crowd onshore and in the boathouse.
Thanks to all who came and supported a very successful day.
It was a busy time during August, with the all-weather lifeboat responding to eight rescues ranging from assisting a yacht taking in water at the entrance to Bembridge harbour to the tricky recovery of an ex- 70 foot beam trawler in the Solent. The inshore lifeboat responded to to three rescues during the month.
The shop and lifeboat station will be open during October on Tues, Wed, Thur, Sat, and Sun from 2.00 to 4.00pm and from 11.00 to 4.00pm during the half-term week.
The RNLI Lifeboat Guild will meet on the first Monday of the month at Bembridge Methodist Church Hall, Foreland Road at 2.30pm. Everyone welcome as usual.
Bembridge RNLI Open Day
