Selsey Lifeboat Station

Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches

22nd December 2020

Selsey RNLI Lifeboats Tasked to Recover Damaged Workboat

The UK Coastguard requested the launch of the Lifeboat at 1.15 p.m. on Tuesday 22nd December after getting reports of a vessel drifting and low in the water off of Selsey Bill. Selsey Coastguard rescue team had been monitoring the vessel for a short while.

The vessel had been reported drifting on Sunday morning approximately 25 miles south of Swanage (Dorset) and both Swanage Lifeboat and the Coastguard rescue helicopter were tasked to investigate if any persons were on it or possibly missing from it. Swanage Lifeboat was unable to safely establish a tow with the vessel due to the sea conditions and with no visible signs of recent occupation the UK Coastguards released both assets.

The Selsey inshore Lifeboat (ILB) launched at 1.29 p.m. to check the damage and whether the vessel was in immediate danger of sinking and, after consultation with the Coastguards and the Lifeboat Operations Manager, the all-weather Lifeboat (ALB) launched at 1.40 p.m. The vessel had clearly been hit by a large ship and, if left to drift, would be a danger to other craft and so the UK Coastguard requested that the Lifeboat towed the vessel to a port. The weather on scene was wind south west force 2, sea state slight in showers.

Once a tow was established between the ALB and the workboat the ILB was released and the tow commenced towards Chichester Harbour who had agreed to meet the Lifeboat outside the harbour to look at the damage before deciding on access to the harbour. After a short time of towing it was clear that the vessel was higher in the water indicating that the water was draining out during towing.

At 3.20 p.m. the Chichester Harbour Master met the Lifeboat just outside the harbour and after viewing the vessel said that he was happy to accept the vessel and so the tow continued to Itchenor where the vessel was put on a mooring. The Lifeboat departed Itchenor at 4.16 p.m. but, shortly after leaving, got a message from the boathouse saying that the Lifeboat would be unable to recover due to the swell running on the beach and so the Lifeboat berthed alongside Hayling Sailing Club jetty for an hour. After returning to Selsey at 6.30 p.m. the Lifeboat was recovered washed down, refuelled and made ready for service.

ILB CREW: Rob Archibald (Helmsman), Dan Langford and Max Wiseman.

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