The AWL 47-001 ‘CITY OF LONDON’ was tasked by HM Coastguard at 1603 hrs to go to the aid of the 29’ Moody ‘Bedouin’ with four people onboard that had lost its rudder whilst on passage from Hythe to Deauville and some 19 miles SSW of Selsey Bill. The ‘CITY OF LONDON’ arrived on scene at 1744 hrs despite earlier communication problems where everything had to be relayed through Solent Coastguard. A casualty drogue was passed to the ‘Beduin’ via a heaving line in case it should be required during the tow to prevent her from over-running the ‘CITY OF LONDON’ and also to help reduce the amount of sheering. A second heaving line was then passed with the main tow attached and this was made fast by the yacht’s crew. By 1800 hrs the tow commenced with 26 miles to run to the entrance of Littlehampton Harbour. Due to the sea conditions it was only possible to run at 6 knots, despite having the drogue deployed, for the fear of parting something away. At 2208 hrs the harbour was reached and the tow shortened right up; too much sheering in the entrance would not have been a good thing! Once inside the entrance her drogue was pulled in and she was sprung alongside prior to berthing on the visitors’ pontoon at 2225 hrs. The ‘CITY OF LONDON’ left the harbour at 0045 hrs (she had to wait for conditions on the slipway to improve) and was rehoused ready for service by 0230 hrs.
CREW: Willy Pledger (Coxswain), Tony Delahunty (2nd Coxswain), Keith Lintott (Mechanic), Max Gilligan, Colin Pullenger, Dave Lamdin, Geoff Mellett.
WIND: South West F7. WEATHER: Overcast.