Selsey Lifeboat Station

Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches

11th November 2016

Dutch Yacht Requests Lifeboat Assistance for Second Time in Three Days

Uk Coastguard requested that the RNLI Selsey Lifeboat launch to the aid of the 45-foot Dutch yacht 'Maria-Angela'. The yacht had engine failure 11 miles south south east of Selsey Bill and, with very little wind, was struggling to make progress.

The volunteer crew were paged at 11.29 a.m. on Friday 11th November 2016 and at 11.41 a.m. the Tyne-class Lifeboat, 'Voluntary Worker', launched with a crew of seven. At 12.19 p.m. the Lifeboat reached the 'Maria-Angela' and transferred the 2nd Coxswain, Willy Pledger, to the yacht to assist with rigging the tow and for communications as the three Spanish and one Dutch national spoke very little English.

The weather on scene was wind southerly force 2-3 in sunshine with good visibility and a smooth sea state. Once the tow was established at 12.28 p.m. a course was set for Chichester Harbour. At 3.15 p.m. the harbour was reached and the 'Maria-Angela' was berthed alongside at Sparkes Marina with the assistance of the Hayling Coastguard team.

The 'Maria Angela' had been towed into Sovereign Harbour by Eastbourne RNLI Lifeboat in the early hours of Wednesday 10th November after making a distress call in similar circumstances as today.

'Voluntary Worker' departed Sparkes Marina at 3.30 p.m. to return to Selsey, arriving at 4.20 p.m. and rehousing straight away.

CREW: Martin Rudwick (Coxswain), Willy Pledger (2nd Coxswain), Geoff Mellett (Mechanic), Dave Lamdin, Gary Pearce, Max Wiseman and Pip Skeet.