Selsey Lifeboat Station

Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches

10th June 2021

Selsey RNLI Lifeboats Respond to Mayday Call from Yacht

The yacht with two persons on board had run aground on the Mixon reef approximately 1 mile south of the Lifeboat station and put out a digital selective calling (DSC) alert requesting assistance.

The Selsey all-weather (ALB) Shannon class Lifeboat was already out with a RNLI assessor aboard conducting a Coxswain pass out and picked up the DSC alert. The UK Coastguard responded to the DSC and broadcast a Mayday relay. The 'D' class inshore lifeboat (ILB) was requested as the ALB couldn't get close to the yacht due to the depth of water. The ILB launched at 7.42 p.m. on Thursday 10th June and proceeded to the yacht's position. The weather on scene was wind south-westerly force 3-4, sea state smooth with visibility under a mile.

The ILB arrived on scene at 7.48 p.m. to find that the yacht had floated and managed to sail the vessel through the only gap in the reef to deeper safer waters. Once alongside the yacht the ILB crew checked on the welfare of the two occupants and any problems the yacht had. The skipper reported that they had lost the engine just before grounding and now had no propulsion, VHF radio or navigation lights. Also, the yacht had no ingress of water. They had been on passage from Eastbourne to Littlehampton but couldn't get into Littlehampton because of low tide and so were continuing on to Chichester Harbour.

The ILB crew contacted the ALB to say they would be required to tow the yacht to Chichester Harbour. The ILB transferred a crewman to the yacht with a handheld radio and assisted in establishing the tow with the ALB and showed the yacht's skipper how to operate the handheld before returning to the ILB. With the tow established, the ILB was released to return to station and the ALB started towing the yacht at 8.12 p.m. with an ETA to Chichester Harbour entrance of 10.00 p.m. Once inside the harbour the yacht was taken to Sparkes Marina and safely berthed alongside at 10.15 p.m. After retrieving the handheld radio, the Lifeboat departed Sparkes at 10.20 p.m.

The ILB returned to station at 8.20 p.m. and was recovered, washed down and refuelled.

The ALB returned to station at 11.20 p.m. and was recovered washed down, refuelled and made ready for service by 12.30 a.m. Friday.

ILB CREW: Colin Pullenger (Helmsman), Will Moir and Harry Emmence.

ALB CREW: Matt Simpson (Assessor), James Albrey (Acting Coxswain), Phil Pitham (Mechanic), Craig Sergeant, Andy Lee, Max Wiseman and Neil Hopcraft.

After an eventful night we are pleased to say that James successfully passed his Coxswains assessment.