Gannet Ripple Leaving Bembridge

Gannet Ripple leaves BSC for the start of her epic Thames voyage beginning in Gloucestershire (via a barn in Hampshire)

Alan Titchmarsh, until recently High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight and a long-term supporter of the RNLI, said "The Bembridge lifeboatmen have for many years been the unsung heroes of the Solent, and the new lifeboat will boost their capacity to help by hugely increasing their speed and range. People often forget that lifeboats are expensive machines and are entirely funded by voluntary contributions. The sponsored row and sail down the Thames in an Isle of Wight scow by Caroline, William and Sophie is an ingenious and welcome effort to raise money for the new lifeboat, and I urge those interested to give generously to this worthy cause.”