Coastguard and police action after two vessels run aground near Ryde Pier

Coastguard crews were kept on their toes yesterday (Tuesday, May 7) after two separate unattended and poorly equipped vessels ran aground near an Isle of Wight pier.

HM Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team were sent to investigate reports of an unattended vessel aground on Ryde Sands, east of Ryde Pier, at 4.10pm.

Once at the scene, the team found a second vessel aground – west of Ryde Pier – which was also unattended.

Neither vessel had an anchor or evidence of any safety and navigation equipment, a coastguard spokesperson said.

One of the grounded vessels east of Ryde Pier (Image: Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team)

The Coastguard Rescue Team were called again at 6.45pm to the vessels east and west of Ryde Pier.

Crew members could see people had arrived to each boat, waiting for the incoming tide to refloat them.

Despite being given safety advice, the vessel to the west of Ryde Pier made it to the main shipping lane mid-Solent before requesting assistance as they had run out of fuel.

Another grounded vessel west of Ryde Pier (Image: Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team)

Both Bembridge RNLI and Gosport And Fareham Inshore Rescue Service tasked to assist them back to Portsmouth.

The vessel to the east of Ryde Pier took a little longer to re-float and due to having no navigational lights and the sun setting.

It was agreed Bembridge Lifeboat would escort them back to Portsmouth Harbour, where Marine Police were waiting to assist.