AWL 47-001 ‘CITY OF LONDON’ launched at 1808 hrs to take over towing operations of a 28-foot yacht ‘Carlotta’ with one elderly male person on board from the ILB D533 ‘PETER CORNISH’.
The casualty had originally run aground approximately 100 metres offshore from Selsey Bill Point after being unsure of his position and his auxiliary engine failing. The ‘PETER CORNISH’ towed the ‘Carlotta’ to safe waters east of the Mixon Beacon and handed over the responsibility to the ‘CITY OF LONDON’ at 1830 hrs. The 2nd Coxswain, Willy Pledger, was put aboard to assist the skipper attach the towline. A course was set for Chichester Harbour and the tow proceeded smoothly.
At 2008 hrs, when just inside the entrance of Chichester Harbour, the tow was then passed to Hayling Rescue (a private commercial rescue unit) to complete the tow to the vessel’s own mooring at Bosham.
At 2010 hrs the ‘CITY OF LONDON’ departed Chichester Harbour to return to station, arriving back at 2040 hrs and rehousing straight away. The ‘CITY OF LONDON’ was ready for service at 2100 hrs.
CREW: Martin Rudwick (Coxswain), Willy Pledger (2nd Coxswain), Keith Lintott (Mechanic), Max Gilligan, Robert Archibald, Peter Delahunty, Phil Pitham.
WIND: West North West F4-5. WEATHER: Sunny.