The UK Coastguard received a Mayday distress call from the French fishing vessel with five persons onboard stating that they had a fire on board and gave their position before contact was then lost.
The Selsey RNLI all-weather Lifeboat (ALB) launched at 11.33 p.m. on Wednesday 31st August and made best speed to the position given. Bembridge RNLI ALB and the Coastguard Helicopter, Rescue 175, were also tasked to the fishing vessel. Rescue 175 was first on scene but were unable to contact the crew as they were trying to contain the fire. Eventually the fishing vessel did reply to Rescue 175 and confirmed no injuries to the crew and the fire was now out but the vessel had lost all power.
The Selsey ALB arrived on scene at 12.45 a.m. with Bembridge ALB arriving shortly after. The Selsey ALB went alongside the fishing vessel to confirm the details passed by the helicopter. The Merchant ship AS Petronia had answered the distress call and was close to the casualty ready to help. At 1.15 a.m. Rescue 175 was released by the Coastguards and returned to base. The Lifeboats were asked to stand by the vessel as the French owner was planning to get the vessel towed back to its home port. At 1.29 a.m. the Coastguards confirmed that a vessel would be coming to tow the disabled fishing boat but with an estimated time of arrival 6-7 hours. The weather on scene was wind north easterly force 5-6, sea state moderate in darkness.
At 1.35 a.m. the Selsey ALB was released from the incident with Bembridge ALB staying with the vessel for safety reasons as they were drifting close to the shipping lanes. The Selsey ALB returned to station at 3.10 a.m. and was recovered straight away, washed down, refuelled, and made ready for service.
CREW: Rob Archibald (Coxswain), Colin Pullenger (Mechanic), Phil Pitham, James Albrey, Craig Sergeant, and Harry Emmence.
The fishing vessel tasked with towing the disabled vessel back to France arrived at 7.15 a.m. and Bembridge ALB was released by the Coastguards to return to station.