Selsey rnli all-weather lifeboat called to yacht sinking.
UK Coastguard requested the immediate launch of the Selsey all-weather lifeboat (Alb) after the crew of the 8.5 metre yacht Paper Moon reported they had lost their propeller shaft and had water ingress.
The Paper Moon gave their position as one mile east south east of the boathouse.
The Shannon class lifeboat Denise and Eric was launched at 11.43am on Thursday 26 October with a crew of six volunteers. The Alb was quickly on scene and transferred two lifeboat crew and the salvage pump to the yacht. As a precaution the two people on the yacht were taken aboard the lifeboat. The weather on scene was wind south west force 2 sea state smooth in overcast skies.
After pumping out the water from the bilges the water ingress was stemmed with rags and a bung by the two lifeboat crew. At 12.10pm a line was passed to the Paper Moon and a tow was established between the two vessels. At 12.15pm a course was set for Chichester harbour and the tow commenced.
The tow to Chichester was uneventful with no further ingress of water and the harbour entrance was reached at 2.30pm. After bringing the Paper Moon to an alongside tow the yacht was taken to Sparkes marina and safely berthed alongside at 2.45pm.The Alb departed Sparkes marina at 3.15pm to return to Selsey arriving back at station at 4.15pm.The crew today were Coxswain Rob Archibald, Mechanic Geoff Mellett, Sam Troughton-Smith, Steve Somner, Max Wiseman and Harry Emmence.
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