Selsey Lifeboat Station

Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches

25th September 2021

Selsey RNLI Called to Check the Welfare of Lone Yachtsman

At lunch time on Saturday 25th September the UK Coastguards received a 999 emergency call from a member of the public who had concerns for an elderly, lone sailor on board a yacht close to Bognor Pier.

The Selsey 'D' class inshore Lifeboat (ILB) launched at 12.50 p.m. and proceeded to the position of the yacht and, once on scene, made contact with the lone occupant. The man, who was very agile for his age, said he was very embarrassed that the Lifeboat had been called. He went on to say that he had left Chichester Harbour that morning and, after rounding Selsey Bill, the wind had dropped and so he started using the motor to get to Littlehampton.

After struggling close inshore he realised his fuel would soon run out and so decided to stop close to Bognor Pier and anchor while he went ashore in his kayak to try and get some fuel (not knowing about the panic buying that had happened the day before). He returned to his craft thinking someone was going to get him some fuel. When the ILB arrived on scene the anchor wasn't holding as it was damaged. The weather on scene was wind force 1, sea state calm in sunshine. The ILB dropped a crewman ashore to speak with Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team and the first informant before returning to the yacht.

After the man was assessed by a casualty care Lifeboat crewman a line was passed to the vessel and a tow established between the two boats. The ILB Helmsman decided to tow the yacht towards Littlehampton Harbour and requested that the Littlehampton Lifeboat be launched to take over the tow nearer to the harbour. At 2.11 p.m. the ILB departed the scene after handing the casualty over to Littlehampton Lifeboat who towed the yacht to Littlehampton Harbour. The ILB returned to station at 2.40 p.m. and was recovered straight away, washed down and made ready for service.

CREW: Colin Pullenger (Helmsman ), Neil Hopcraft and Neil Martin.