19.09.2013 - Baptism of fire for a new Helm and crew - Launched at 15:55 into a F6 from SW with gusts of F7 Lifeboat recovered at 18:25 A Mayday call was received by Solent Coastguard from a yacht with three people on board near the Chichester Bar Beacon. While trying to enter Chichester Harbour, the yacht’s tiller had snapped off at the root. This caused by the wind over tide conditions that had created very rough seas which had put a lot of strain on the steering system. The skipper of the yacht had tried to motor in but had broached several times. He managed to turn the yacht round and was trying to keep the bow of the yacht facing the large breaking waves. Solent Coastguard paged Hayling Lifeboat which launched. Passing though some large confused seas the lid of the Atlantic sea anchor bucket became loose with the risk of the sea anchor being deployed in and through the boat. While the Lifeboat was being held head to sea, crew member went forward to secure the lid. This proved impossible in the rough conditions so the sea anchor and line was pulled back and stowed in the Atlantic crew footwell. The Lifeboat first went to the reported position and found Hayling Rescue who had responded to the yachts Mayday already in the area looking for the yacht. Not long after arriving, crew member spotted the yacht which had been driven towards the East Pole Sands near to the southern target wreck by the fast ebbing spring tide and the strong south westerly wind. The Lifeboat proceeded to casualties position. This involved driving through large breaking seas southwards across Middle Pole Sands and running down sea to the yacht. Once on scene the helmsman and the crew make ready the tow line while standing off. The helmsman then manoeuvred the lifeboat close enough to the yacht to put crew member on board to help get ready for the lifeboat to pass a tow line. The tow was successfully passed on the first attempt and the lifeboat headed south west to clear the shallow waters before slowly turning the yacht so a northerly course could be made for the harbour entrance. Great care and skill was needed to tow the rudderless yacht in these wind over tide conditions. While crossing the Bar the yacht was again severely broached in 3 to 4 metres seas, so once again the helmsman using very good seamanship and boat handling turned the yacht around and headed South into the breaking waves. The Helmsman then asked the crew member on board if the yacht had anything which could be used to make a drogue to hold the yacht stern and reduce the risk of broaching. This was not possible because of the lack of equipment the yacht had on board. The Helmsman then contacted Solent Coastguard to request the launch of Bembridge ALB lifeboat with their drogue on board to launch and take over the tow. When the Bembridge Lifeboat arrived on scene most of the ebb had run and the waves where not as large. The Bembridge Lifeboat passed a drogue, bridle and a towline to the crew member on the yacht. Once setup, towing was transfered to Bembridge lifeboat and Hayling Lifeboat escorted Hayling Rescue, a single manned boat, back into the Chichester Harbour.Once Bembridge lifeboat was inside the harbour in calmer waters, the tow was transferred back to the Hayling Lifeboat enabling Bembridge Lifeboat to be released to return to station. The Hayling Lifeboat took the yacht alongside and successfully towed the casualty to the safety of Sparks Marina to be met by the Hayling Coastguard Mobile unit. The Lifeboat then returned to Station and was made ready for further service.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 19:27:23 +0000
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