The Bembridge Lifeboat, The "Max Aitken III" took part in the annual Lifeboat Regatta on Sunday the 17^th August 1997 along with the Bembridge Inshore Lifeboat "Criddy and Tom" and the Coastguard Air-Sea Rescue Helicopter. Here are some pictures taken during their demonstration of rescue techniques.

Transferring a crewman from the lifeboat to the Coastguard rescue helicopter.

Two pictures of the "Max Aitken III" Tyne class all weather lifeboat in action. This boat is stationed at Bembridge at the eastern end of the Isle of Wight.

The "Max Aitken III" with the 'D' class inshore lifeboat.

During late 1997 and early 1998 the RNLI's fleet of "Tyne" class lifeboats underwent major overhauls of their twin Detroit Diesel engines, and many of them were out of service. All stations were maintained operational using boats from the relief fleet. Bembridge had the "Mersey" class lifeboat "Fisherman's Friend", which unfortunately could not be housed in the boathouse..

"Fisherman's Friend" on station ...

... just a short distance from the boathouse...

... ready for any emergency.

"Fisherman's Friend" was replaced by the "Tyne" class lifeboat "Good Shepherd", also from the relief fleet. This boat remained on station in the Bembridge boathouse while the "Max Aitken III" was being refitted.

More about the Bembridge Lifeboat

History of Bembridge Lifeboat

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