Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches
14th June 2008
23-Foot Yacht “Tien Mou” Hard Aground
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Both Selsey Lifeboats were requested to launch at 13.36 following a Mayday call from the 23-foot yacht "Tien Mou" was received by Solent Coastguard.
The yacht, with 2 persons on board, had run aground on the Mixon Reef 1.25 miles south south east of the lifeboat station.
Selsey Inshore Lifeboat “Betty and Thomas Moore” launched at 13.48 followed by the All Weather Lifeboat “Voluntary Worker” at 13.56. The ILB arrived on scene at 14.00 and verified the crew of the yacht were not injured and happy to stay aboard their craft. By now the "Tien Mou" was high and dry.
It was agreed with the coastguard that the yacht and her crew were in no danger and that both lifeboats could return to station. The ILB would return to the scene when the "Tien Mou" started to re-float on the flood tide.
At 16.45, and with the "Tien Mou" starting to re-float, the ILB returned to the incident and towed the yacht clear of the rocks. Once they were in open water the tow was released and "Tien Mou" began to continue her passage to Littlehampton then promptly suffered engine failure! The all weather boat then re-launched at 17.16 and was alongside the casualty soon after. A tow was established and a course set for Littlehampton Harbour.
The harbour was reached by 18.30 and the yacht safely berthed alongside. The Lifeboat left Littlehampton, returned to Selsey, re-housed and was made ready for service at 20.10.
ILB CREW: C.Pullenger (Helm), W.Moir and S.Troughton-Smith.
ALB CREW (1st Launch): D. Lamdin (Coxswain), P. Delahunty (2nd Cox), P.Pitham (Mechanic), M.Gilligan, C.Sergeant, P.King and M.Pledger
ALB CREW (2nd Launch): D.Lamdin (Coxswain), P.Delahunty (2nd Cox), P.Pitham (Mech), M.Gilligan, G.Mellett, J.Albery and P.King.
WEATHER: DRY and clear. WIND: W F4 .
NOTE: The launch of the all weather lifeboat was significantly delayed due to recreational divers operating at the end of the slip