Selsey RNLI lifeboats tasked to recover damaged workboat

The vessel had been reported drifting on Sunday morning approximately 25 miles south of Swanage (Dorset) and both Swanage lifeboat and the Coastguard rescue helicopter were tasked to investigate if any persons were on it or possibly missing from it. Swanage lifeboat were unable to safely establish a tow with the vessel due to the sea conditions and with no visible signs of recent occupation the UK Coastguards released both assets.

The Selsey inshore lifeboat (ILB) launched at 1.29pm to check the damage and whether vessel was in immediate danger of sinking and after consultation with the Coastguards and the Lifeboat operations Manager the all-weather lifeboat (ALB) launched at 1.40pm. The vessel had clearly been hit by a large ship and if left to drift would be a danger to other craft, so the UK Coastguard requested the lifeboat to tow the vessel to a port. The weather on scene was wind south west force 2 sea state slight in showers.

Once a tow was established between the ALB and the workboat the ILB was released and the tow commenced towards Chichester Harbour who had agreed to meet the lifeboat outside the harbour to look at the damage before deciding on access to the harbour. After a short time of towing, it was clear the vessel was higher in the water indicating the water was draining out during towing.

At 3.20pm the Chichester Harbour Master met the lifeboat just outside the harbour and after viewing the vessel said he was happy to accept the vessel, so the tow continued to Itchenor where the vessel was put on a mooring. The lifeboat departed Itchenor at 4.16pm but shortly after leaving got a message from the boathouse saying we were unable to recover due to the swell running on the beach, so the lifeboat berthed alongside Hayling sailing club jetty for an hour. After returning to Selsey at 6.30pm the lifeboat was recovered washed down, refuelled and made ready for service. The crews today were ALB: Coxswain Colin Pullenger Mechanic Phil Pitham, Max Gilligan, Andy Lee, Neil Hopcraft and Terry Healey.

ILB: Rob Archibald, Dan Langford and Max Wiseman.

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