Selsey all weather lifeboat “Voluntary Worker “ launched at 2145 to go to the assistance of a 29-foot yacht “Pakaa” with two male persons on board in a position approximately 18.5 miles southwest of the station. The casualty having left Cherbourg earlier was experiencing 50-60 knot head winds and was suffering with intermittent engine failure, and as a result of the conditions was making little headway.
The lifeboat arrived on scene at 2245 with conditions of the wind gusting to storm force 10 rough seas and torrential rain it was decided that the safest option was to escort the casualty towards Chichester Harbour. After about an hour it was evident that the casualty was making no headway and was being driven to the west towards the shore of the Isle of Wight. A decision to put the 2nd Coxswain aboard to assist in attaching a tow had to be aborted due to the risk of personal injury and damage to the casualty vessel. In difficult and dangerous conditions on a severely pitching foredeck the Skipper of “Pakaa” managed to receive and connect a towline unfortunately this parted within minutes.
With conditions worsening it was decided to alter course to the northwest and try and gain some shelter from the cliffs at Dunnose Head. At 0120 about half a mile offshore from Ventnor I.O.W. in slightly smoother conditions the 2nd Coxswain was put aboard the casualty to help attach another towline. Finally a course directly into the wind at slow speed was set for Chichester harbour. Unfortunately at 0445 roughly 1 mile southwest of the Nab Tower the tow parted again and had to be reconnected.
At 0700 over 8 hours since arriving on scene with the casualty the entrance to Chichester Harbour was reached. Even in the Shelter of the harbour conditions were still too rough to bring the casualty alongside and tow into Sparkes Marina. The tow had to continue another 2 miles further into the harbour to Itchenor where finally it was sheltered enough to bring the casualty alongside and safely berth her on the visitors jetty. This was at last achieved at 0745 much to the relief of all involved.
The lifeboat departed Itchenor at 0810 to return to station arriving back at 0859, rehousing at 0910 and was made ready for service once more at 1000, some 12 hours after launching.
CREW: M.Rudwick (Coxswain), W.Pledger (2nd Coxswain), G.Mellett (Mechanic), M.Gilligan, C.Pullenger, P.Pitham, J.Albery.
WIND: Northwest to North gale force 9 – storm 10. SEA: Rough. WEATHER: Torrential rain.