AWL 47-001 ‘CITY OF LONDON’ launched at 1352 hrs to assist the ten metre motorboat ‘January Girl’ with five persons on board, two male adults, two female adults, and a young girl about three-years old. The casualty had suffered machinery failure with one engine stopped and the other engine seriously overheating whilst on passage from Cherbourg to their home port of Brighton Marina.
The ‘CITY OF LONDON’ arrived on scene at 1428 hrs in a position 10 miles south of the station. After four attempts to come alongside in choppy conditions and a fresh westerly force 6 wind, the 2nd Coxswain was put aboard to attach a towline. With this task completed by 1444 hrs a course was set for Chichester Harbour at an average speed of 8 knots. The shelter of Chichester Harbour was reached at 1640 hrs. At 1652 hrs when just off Hayling Yacht Club the tow was passed to Hayling Rescue who proceeded with the tow into Sparkes Marina.
The ‘CITY OF LONDON’ was released to return to station arriving back at 1740 hrs, rehousing straight away and was ready for service at 1800 hrs.
CREW: Martin Rudwick (Coxswain), Willy Pledger (2nd Coxswain), Tony Delahunty (Deputy 2nd Coxswain), Richard Wiseman (Mechanic), Max Gilligan, Dave Lamdin, Phil Pitham.
WIND: West F6. WEATHER: Sun and showers.