Selsey All Weather Lifeboat "Voluntary Worker" launched at 01:03 to aid Solent Coastguard in the search for an overdue 45-foot Sloop 'Sassenach'.
The 'Sassenach' was on passage from Boulogne to Eastbourne, but due to deteriorating weather conditions decided to head for her home port of the Hamble River. The alarm was raised by a shore contact after the sloop had not arrived when due.
Dover coastguard started a search involving Eastbourne and Hastings RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboats, but it soon became clear that the yacht was further to the west.
Following a PAN-PAN broadcast by Solent Coastguard a German yacht on passage to Portsmouth contacted the coastguard with a sighting of the 'Sassenach' by the South Pullar Buoy 5 miles SSW of Selsey Bill.
Selsey Lifeboat located the yacht at 02:00 and, after establishing that all was well aboard the casualty vessel, it was decided that the lifeboat would escort the vessel to Portsmouth and the lifeboat would then return to station.
The lifeboat arrived back on station at 04:15 and re-housed straight away.
CREW: R.Archibald (Coxswain), D.Lamdin (2nd Coxswain), P.Pitham (Mechanic), W.Pledger, C.Sergeant, G.Pearce, A.Lee.
WIND: West Southwest 8-9. SEA: Rough. WEATHER: Squally showers.