Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches
19th April 2016
Selsey RNLI Lifeboat Aids Yacht Aground Close to the Lifeboat Station
 |
.jpg "Blue Silk") |
.jpg "Blue Silk") |
The UK Coastguards had received a call from the 52-foot yacht 'Blue Silk' saying that the vessel had run aground close to Selsey Bill and required assistance. There were two adult males aboard. Selsey All Weather Lifeboat, 'Voluntary Worker', was requested to launch as the skipper of the yacht reported that he had machinery failure. The yacht was on passage from Brighton to Southampton.
'Voluntary Worker' launched at 5.17 p.m. on Tuesday 19th April 2016 and the volunteer crew barely had time to put up the aerials and mast before they were alongside the casualty as they were aground 400-metres off the Lifeboat station. The weather on scene was wind force 1 south easterly, sea state smooth in sunshine. The tide was incoming and 'Blue Silk' came off the sea bed unaided.
After confirming that there was no ingress of water a line was passed to the casualty and a tow was established between the Lifeboat and the yacht. A course was set for Chichester Harbour where the yacht could be lifted out if needed to check for damage.
.jpg "Blue Silk") |
.jpg "Blue Silk") |
The harbour entrance was reached at 7.27 p.m. and at 7.58 p.m. 'Blue Silk' was safely berthed alongside at Sparkes Marina inside Chichester Harbour. The Lifeboat departed Sparkes at 8.13 p.m. to return to station.
On returning to station at 9.05 p.m. the wind had increased enough to make rehousing too dangerous so this was aborted until 3.30 a.m. Wednesday morning. The Lifeboat went to anchor on the west side of Selsey Bill which was sheltered from the weather and the crew remained on board.
CREW: Martin Rudwick (Coxswain ), Rob Archibald (2nd Coxswain), Phil Pitham (Mechanic), James Albery, Andy Lee, Kristina Dolan and Harry Emmence.