Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches

23rd October 2020

Selsey RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat Tows Angling Boat Away From Danger

Albacora Albacora

At 5.46 p.m. on Friday 23rd October the Lifeboat launched to the aid of the 21-foot day boat which had machinery problems and was in danger of hitting the rock defences at Bunn Leisure.

The 21-foot 'Albacora' had been on passage from Brighton to Emsworth and had just rounded the Mixon Pole off of Selsey Bill when the engine started playing up. The vessel had two males aboard, one of whom who was suffering sea sickness, so the skipper decided to head in towards Selsey as the conditions had deteriorated. Unfortunately, the engine failed approximately ½ a mile north west of Selsey Bill and also with the wind pushing the vessel towards the rocks.

The skipper transmitted a pan pan urgency broadcast on VHF radio which was picked up by UK Coastguard who immediately paged the Selsey RNLI. The all-weather lifeboat (ALB) was on scene at 5.56pm and after checking the welfare of the two crew aboard the Albacora a line was passed to the skipper and a tow was established between the two vessels. A course was set for Chichester Harbour and the tow commenced at 6.02pm. The weather on scene was wind south west force 4, sea state moderate.

At 6.59 p.m. Chichester Bar beacon was reached and, after entering the harbour, the casualty vessel was brought to an alongside tow to enter Sparkes Marina. The 'Albacora' was safely berthed alongside in the marina at 7.34 p.m. and the ALB departed at 7.45 p.m. The ALB arrived back at Selsey at 8.35 p.m. and was recovered straight away. After recovery the boat was washed down, refuelled and made ready for service again.

CREW: Colin Pullenger (Coxswain), Phil Pitham (Mechanic), Max Gilligan, Andy Lee, Max Wiseman and Neil Hopcraft.