Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches
26th June 2015
Selsey RNLI Goes to the Aid of Round the Island Yacht Crew
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Selsey volunteer crew were paged at 4.01 p.m. on the 27th June 2015. Solent Coastguard had received a distress call from the 36-foot yacht 'Mojito' reporting rigging failure and a line under the stern jamming her propeller and tiller. The position given was 2 nm north east of Bembridge
The Tyne class lifeboat 'Voluntary Worker' launched with a crew of seven at 4.14 p.m. and proceeded to the position given by the yacht. On the way communications were established with the 'Mojito' using the Lifeboat's direction finding equipment and it was established that the vessel was not in the position given.
At 4.55 p.m. the 'Mojito' was eventually found 2 nm south west of Chichester Harbour and, as the sails were set, a tow was established between the two vessels to bring the yacht into the wind to enable the sails to be lowered. The Coxswain decided to take the 'Mojito' into Chichester Harbour and requested Hayling Lifeboat to assist in entering the harbour and berthing as the yacht had no steerage. The weather on scene was wind SW force 4 sea state slight in sunshine.
Hayling Lifeboat transferred two Lifeboat crew to the yacht to help the crew get the sails free. After entering the harbour the harbour patrol boat assisted by putting a crewman aboard who was a yacht rigger. The sails could not be lowered so the harbour patrol suggested putting the yacht on a visitor mooring until they could be freed.
At 4.57 p.m. the vessel was safely moored with the help of Hayling Lifeboat and the Harbour rhib. 'Voluntary Worker' was released from the incident and returned to Selsey, arriving at 7.15 p.m. and rehousing straight away.
CREW: Geoff Mellett (Coxswain), Willy Pledger (2nd coxswain), Phil Pitham (Mechanic), Max Gilligan, Will Moir, Gary Pearce, and Andy Lee.
Video of this service call courtesy of Max Gilligan, Crew Member and LPO.