Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches
29th September 2021
Selsey RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Checks on Yacht After Grounding Incident
Selsey RNLI.jpg "Yacht grounding") |
Selsey RNLI.jpg "Yacht grounding") |
Selsey RNLI.jpg "Yacht grounding") |
Selsey RNLI.jpg "Yacht grounding") |
The Uk Coastguards received an emergency 999 call from a member of the public reporting that a small yacht appeared to be aground approximately 200 metres west of Selsey Bill. Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) were sent to assess the yacht and on arrival found that the yacht had floated off of the bank and was now just east of Selsey Bill close inshore.
The Selsey CRT requested that the inshore Lifeboat (ILB) to check the welfare of the yacht crew after attempts to make contact via VHF radio failed. The ILB launched at 6.59 p.m. and was quickly on scene with the 22-foot yacht with one person on board. The person said he had been aground but was now going to anchor off Selsey for the night. Soon after deploying the anchor, it was noted by the ILB crew that it was not holding and closed the yacht to speak with the skipper. It was also noted that a porthole glass was broken on the yacht. The weather on scene was wind westerly force 4-5, sea state moderate with cloudy sky.
The UK Coastguards had a phone conversation with the Life Station Operations Manager and decided that, with the weather due to deteriorate rapidly during the following morning, the best option was to launch the all-weather Lifeboat (ALB) and tow the yacht to the nearest port of safety.
The ALB launched at 7.35 p.m. and rendezvoused with the yacht and ILB and a crewman from the ALB was transferred to the yacht to assist in establishing the tow. Once the tow commenced towards Chichester Harbour the ILB was released to return to station. Chichester Harbour entrance was reached at 9.40 p.m. and Hayling Lifeboat, who had been exercising, met the ALB inside the harbour and took the yacht into Sparkes Marina. The Selsey ALB departed Chichester Harbour and arrived back at Selsey at 10.53 p.m. and was recovered straight away.
ILB CREW: Harry Emmence (Helmsman), Dan Langford and Jake Harnett.
ALB CREW: Coxswain Dave Lamdin, Mechanic Phil Pitham, Will Moir, Craig Sergeant Neil Hopcraft and Tom Davidson (trainee)