Selsey RNLI all-weather lifeboat launches to power boat with engine failure
The volunteer crew at Selsey were paged on Friday 27 October after the UK Coastguard had received an emergency call via mobile phone from the owner of the 18ft power boat Halo reporting his engine had failed.
The Halo reported they were west of Selsey Bill but could not give any better position and that they had two adults and three children aboard all wearing lifejackets. The Selsey Shannon class lifeboat Denise and Eric launched at 4.06pm and made best speed to the area. Approximately one mile west of Selsey the lifeboat crew sighted what appeared to be a flare so headed towards that position.
The lifeboat arrived on scene with the Halo at 4.14pm at a position three miles west of Selsey Bill. The skipper confirmed he had let off the flare and that they were all well on board. Before establishing a tow with the Halo all the persons aboard the vessel were taken on to the lifeboat.
One of the lifeboat crew went aboard the Halo to rig the tow line and stayed with the vessel during the passage to Chichester harbour. The vessel was towed to Sparkes marina and safely berthed alongside at 5.10pm.The lifeboat departed Sparkes marina at 5.30pm to return to Selsey.
At 6.05pm the lifeboat arrived back at station and was rehoused straight away. The crew today were Coxswain Rob Archibald, Mechanic Phil Pitham, Geoff Mellett, Gary Pearce, Sam Troughton-Smith and Kristina Dolan.
- RNLI media contacts
- Max Gilligan Selsey RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
07956 415429 [email protected] - Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Media Officer (South East)
0207 6207416 / 07786 668825 / [email protected]
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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