Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches

16th December 2014

Fishing Boat Towed to Safety by Selsey Lifeboat

Nicholas C Nicholas C
Nicholas C Nicholas C

Selsey RNLI lifeboat went to the aid of the 'Nicholas C', a commercial fishing vessel, on Tuesday 16th December 2014 after the skipper reported he had a fouled propeller. Their position was 7.5 miles south east of the Lifeboat Station drifting to the west.

The volunteer crew were paged at 6.45 a.m. and the Tyne class Lifeboat 'Voluntary Worker' was launched at 6.59 a.m. The weather at launching was calm with good visibility. The 'Nicholas C' was reached at 7.32 a.m. and as the crew of three were all well on board a tow line was passed and was quickly established. The tow commenced at 7.36 a.m. towards Chichester Harbour.

During the passage the weather started to deteriorate with dense fog which required reduced speed. Chichester Harbour was reached at 10.20 a.m. and at 10.30 a.m., just inside the harbour, the tow was passed to the Chichester Harbour patrol boat who towed the 'Nicholas C' up to Itchenor where the offending rope could be cut out.

'Voluntary Worker' departed Chichester Harbour at 10.32 a.m. and, with the fog now cleared, made good time, arriving back at the Lifeboat Station at 11.15 a.m. The Lifeboat was then rehoused, refuelled and washed down.

CREW: Geoff Mellett (Coxswain), Colin Pullenger (2nd Coxswain), Phil Pitham (Mechanic), Craig Sergeant, Max Wiseman, Pip Skeet (Trainee), and Kristina Dolan (Trainee).