Selsey Inshore lifeboat launched after urgent call from small yacht

The UK Coastguard requested the launch after receiving the call from the loan skipper of the yacht requesting assistance saying he was exhausted and making no headway.

The RNLI D class inshore lifeboat (ILB) launched at 2.20pm on Monday, October 24 and headed to the yacht which could be seen from the boathouse approximately 0.75 mile north east of the lifeboat station.

Arriving on scene at 2.23pm one of the ILB crew member was transferred to the vessel to assess the situation, first indications were that the skipper did not look well, the engine had stopped which the ILB crew member was able to start but made little difference to the vessel speed.

After the initial assessment, the Helmsman of the ILB informed the Coastguard that the man was unwell and incapable of continuing the passage to Brighton alone and requested the Selsey all-weather lifeboat (ALB) be launched to take the yacht under tow.

The ALB launched at 2.51pm and rendezvoused with the ILB at 2.57pm. The skipper of the yacht declined to be taken ashore by the ILB but agreed to going aboard the ALB for the duration of the tow to Chichester Harbour.

At 3.15pm the tow was established, and the skipper was transferred to the ALB, the ILB crew member who initially went aboard the yacht stayed onboard for the tow which commenced at 3.20pm.

The ILB recovered one crew member from the yacht and was released at 3.30pm to return to station arriving back at 3.39pm.