Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches
2nd September 2021
Selsey RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat Launched to Assist Small Yacht
.jpg "Small Yacht") |
.jpg "Small Yacht") |
.jpg "Small Yacht") |
.jpg "Small Yacht") |
UK Coastguards received a mobile phone call from the lone sailor on a 25-foot yacht requesting assistance after suffering rigging and machinery failure. The vessel had no navigation aids and from what the skipper said the Coastguards estimated his position was off of West Sands Holiday Park to the west side of Selsey.
The all-weather lifeboat (ALB) launched at 6.00 p.m. on Thursday 2nd September and headed around Selsey Bill to the west of Selsey. Soon after clearing the Bill, it was apparent that the vessel wasn't where indicated. There was a target on the radar half a mile north-west of the Looe Channel buoys and so the Lifeboat headed to that target. The skipper was asked (via the Coastguards on mobile phone) if he could see the Lifeboat heading towards him to which he replied that he could see the blue flashing light.
The weather on scene was wind north-easterly force 4-5, sea state moderate in cloudy sky. The Lifeboat came alongside the yacht and the skipper said that he had anchored but needed help to recover it and so a Lifeboat crewman was transferred to the vessel to help. The Coxswain decided that, because the vessel was close to the Looe Channel and had no navigation lights, the yacht should be towed to the nearest safe harbour.
Once a tow was established between the yacht and the Lifeboat a course was set for Chichester Harbour. The entrance to the harbour was reached at 7.25 p.m. and, once inside the harbour, the yacht was brought to an alongside tow to continue to Sparkes Marina. The yacht was safely berthed alongside in Sparkes Marina at 7.55 p.m. and left in the hands of Hayling Coastguard rescue team. The Lifeboat departed the marina at 8.15 p.m. to return to Selsey. Arriving back at 9.00 p.m. the Lifeboat was recovered straight away.
CREW: Rob Archibald (Coxswain), Andy Lee (Mechanic), James Albrey, Max Wiseman, Neil Hopcraft and Terry Healey.