Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches
28th May 2006
21-Foot Yacht ‘Sundowner’
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AWL 47-031 'Voluntary Worker' launched at 1624 hrs to go to the assistance of the 21-foot yacht ‘Sundowner’ with 2 male adults, 1 young boy and 2 dogs on board which had suffered a series of incidents leading to it being totally disabled.
The casualty had set off from Littlehampton heading for Chichester Harbour and had lost the use of its sails, as they were rotten, the VHF aerial and lights had fallen off the mast, the first auxiliary engine had fallen overboard, and the final straw came when after attaching another auxiliary engine to the transom it tore the bracket and approximately one square foot of the hull off before disappearing into Davey Jones locker leaving a gaping hole! The 3 persons only had one buoyancy aid between them, had no flares, and their only communication by now was a mobile phone.
The ‘Voluntary Worker' arrived on scene approximately 3 miles south of the station at 1637 hrs and acting 2nd Cox’n Max Gilligan was put aboard with spare lifejackets. One man, the boy and one dog were taken aboard the ‘Voluntary Worker'. A towline was attached and at 1658 hrs a slow tow to Chichester Harbour was commenced. The casualty was safely berthed in Sparkes Marina at 1920 hrs where they were handed over to Coastguards and the Harbourmaster. The vessel was immediately impounded being deemed unseaworthy.
The ‘Voluntary Worker' Departed Sparkes Marina 1937 hrs and arrived back at station 2037 hrs. Ready for service 2100 hrs.
CREW: Martin Rudwick (Coxswain), Max Gilligan (Acting 2nd Coxswain), Geoff Mellett (Mechanic), Peter Delahunty, Phil Pitham, Will Moir, James Albery.
WIND: SW F3-4. SEA: Slight. WEATHER: Sunny,
NOTE: Had sea conditions been worse or if the mobile phone connection had been lost this vessel probably would have sunk, possibly with the loss of life.