BEMBRIDGE RNLI had a busy evening responding to emergencies in connection with the St Helens fort walk. 

The crew's Norman Harvey lifeboat launched at 6.30pm yesterday evening (Sunday) to assist a mother and her child who had got into difficulty whilst walking to St Helens Fort. 

The crew's Albert Williams vessel was subsequently launched to assist in the search for a missing child who had also been walking to the fort.

After a relatively quiet and uneventful fort walk on Saturday evening, the Norman Harvey was launched at the request of Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team the following day.

Read more: Isle of Wight Council advises against Bembridge St Helens fort walk

The Ventnor crew had been keeping an eye on the evening's fort walk, and raised concerns about a mother and child in difficulty.

But by the time the Norman Harvey arrived, the pair had already made their way to safety.   

The Albert Williams, meanwhile, had been placed on standby in case the situation escalated.  

At around 7.15pm, she was launched to provide support in the search for a 12-year-old girl who had become separated from the rest of her family.

The child was soon located and re-united with her family, safe and well.   

Both boats remained in the area, keeping an eye on the last of the walkers — some up to their shoulders in the water. 

After a final check, and after the Norman Harvey had taken another handful of walkers back to Bembridge beach, both boats returned to their respective boathouses and were recovered by 8.40pm.