Flare fired as ocean rowing boat runs aground
22/03/2022
UK search and rescue personnel on the Isle of Wight have rescued the crew of an ocean rowing boat that ran aground.
After signalling with a red flare one night in March, the crew of the GB Row Challenger ocean rowing boat put out a Mayday message.
Solent Coastguard asked RNLI Bembridge to assist after the 10-metre rowing boat ran aground on Bembridge Ledge, according to its Facebook page. Bembridge Inshore Lifeboat, the Norman Harvey, was launched and Rescue 175 helicopter crew – who were training nearby – responded. The all-weather lifeboat, the Alfred Albert Williams, was put on standby.
All six in the rowing boat were uninjured and GB Row Challenger was towed back to shore at Bembridge Harbour.
It is believed the rowers were attempting to anchor in Priory Bay on the Isle of Wight.
A Bembridge RNLI spokesperson says, “It obviously did not take the Norman Harvey long to reach the casualty vessel and having ascertained that everyone onboard was ok, she set up a tow and was able to pull the boat clear of the Ledge.”
The photo is a stock picture of the Norman Harvey.
