Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches
17th March 2015
Selsey RNLI Lifeboat Tows Angling Boat with Machinery Failure
| 
|
| 
|
Selsey volunteer crew were paged at 12.41 p.m. after Solent Coastguards received a call from the 9-metre angling boat 'Harbour Lights II' reporting that their engine had failed to start. Their position was 20 miles south-east of Selsey Bill close to the west-going shipping lane of the channel.
Selsey AWL Lifeboat, 'Voluntary Worker', launched at 12.51 p.m. on 17th March 2015 into a calm sea with hazy sunshine and visibility down to 1.2 miles. 'Harbour Lights II', with four men on board, was reached at 1.57 p.m. and a tow was established between the two boats
At 2.03 p.m. the tow commenced towards Littlehampton Harbour at a speed of 8 knots. The entrance to Littlehampton Harbour was reached at 5.37 p.m. and the tow was shortened to enter it. 'Harbour Lights II' was safely berthed alongside and left in the care of the Littlehampton Coastguard team.
The Lifeboat was released by Solent Coastguards at 6.12 p.m. and departed the harbour bound for Selsey. The station was reached at 7.02 p.m. and the Lifeboat was rehoused, refuelled, washed down and made ready for the next call by 8.00 p.m.
CREW: Martin Rudwick (Coxswain), Willy Pledger (2nd Coxswain), Phil Pitham (Mechanic), Rob Archibald, Geoff Mellett, Gary Pearce and Steve Somner.