Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches
3rd June 2016
Selsey Lifeboat Aids Vessel with Overheating Engine
.jpg "Spindrift II") |
.jpg "Spindrift II") |
.jpg "Spindrift II") |
.jpg "Spindrift II") |
UK Coastguards (Solent) requested Selsey RNLI All Weather Lifeboat to launch to the assistance of the 10.5-metre yacht 'Spindrift II' with two persons aboard. The skipper of the yacht reported that their engine had overheated and that they were struggling to make headway with the light winds.
'Voluntary Worker' launched at 2.34 p.m. on Friday 3rd June 2016 with a crew of 7 volunteers and proceeded to the given position of the yacht, which was 5 miles south of Chichester Harbour. This was in the area used by large ships to approach Southampton and Portsmouth Harbours. The weather on scene was wind northerly force 2, sea state slight with overcast sky.
The Lifeboat located 'Spindrift II' at 3.06 p.m. and quickly established a tow between the yacht and the Lifeboat. A course was set for Gosport Marina, just inside the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. Once inside the harbour, with only a short distance to go, the yacht was released from the tow and able to berth alongside using their now-cooled engine.
The Lifeboat departed Portsmouth Harbour at 4.35 p.m. to return to Selsey, which took just over an hour. The Lifeboat was rehoused straight away, washed down, refuelled and made ready for the next call just in time for the crew to dash up to the local Cricket Club where they were due to play cricket.
CREW: Willy Pledger (Coxswain), Rob Archibald (2nd Coxswain), Geoff Mellett (Mechanic), Colin Pullenger, Sam Troughton-Smith, Steve Somner and Max Wiseman.