Selsey RNLI lifeboat responds to mayday call from a dismasted yacht
The UK Coastguard requested the immediate launch of the Selsey all-weather lifeboat after receiving a mayday distress call from a yacht that had been dismasted 3 miles south west of Selsey Bill.
The Shannon class all-weather lifeboat launched at 12.13pm on Saturday 22 August and made best speed to the yacht. The Coastguard rescue helicopter had also been tasked. At 12.33pm the lifeboat arrived on scene and made contact with the yacht skipper who confirmed all six crew were ok. They said they were still sorting the damaged mast and rigging out and would use the engine to get to the nearest port which was Chichester Harbour so the lifeboat was requested to escort them.
The weather on scene was wind west south west force 6-7 sea state rough in sunshine. At 12.50pm the yacht skipper reported that Sparkes marina in Chichester harbour had no room for them so they were continuing to Portsmouth Harbour. By this time they had secured everything on board and said they were happy to continue the passage to Portsmouth without an escort. The Coastguards were happy with that and they would conduct welfare checks on the radio with the yacht at regular intervals so the lifeboat was released to return to station at 1.00pm.
The lifeboat arrived back at station at 1.24pm and was recovered straight away. The crew today were Coxswain Rob Archibald, Mechanic Andy Lee, Max Gilligan, Will Moir,
James Albrey and Sam Corcoran-Smith.
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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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