Bembridge RNLI responds to yacht caught in ‘lobster pot’

A lifeboat crew has responded to a shout of a yacht caught up in a lobster pot. 

The propellor and rudder of a 50ft yacht were stuck in the lobster fishing gear in the Solent between Bembridge and Hayling Island.

A spokesman for Bembridge RNLI said: “RNLB Alfred Albert Williams (Tamar All-Weather Lifeboat 16-17) was launched this afternoon at 12.45pm in response to a request from UK (Solent) Coastguard to assist Hayling Island RNLI’s Atlantic 85 with a 50ft yacht with three crew that had a lobster pot caught around its propellor and rudder.

RNLB Alfred Albert Williams

“It did not take long to reach the yacht as she was mid-Solent between Bembridge and Hayling Island; the tow was transferred to the Alfred Albert Williams as she obviously had more pulling power than Hayling’s Atlantic 85 which then managed to free the yacht from the pot line.

“After 10 minutes the tow was transferred back to the Atlantic 85 and having made sure they were happy with towing the yacht into Chichester Harbour (where she had come from earlier in the morning), the Alfred Albert Williams then returned to the boathouse and was recovered by 2pm.”

RNLI Bembridge – by J.Sheath