12/10/2026
10 October 2026
Selsey RNLI all-weather lifeboat launched to assist yacht with machinery failure.
The UK Coastguards received a mobile phone call from the yacht saying they had machinery failure resulting in no electrics and were unable to sail in the conditions.
The Coastguard broadcast a Pan urgency call to any vessels able to assist but after no suitable response, requested the all-weather lifeboat from Selsey.
The all-weather lifeboat (ALB) launched at 12.47pm Friday 9 October and made best speed to the position given to the Coastguards which was two nautical miles south from Chichester harbour.
Hayling rescue had responded to the pan call but conditions over Chichester Bar were to rough for him to safely tow the yacht. At 1.05pm the ALB arrived on scene with the yacht which had drifted 2.5 nm towards Bracklesham Bay and was now 0.7nm from the shore.
The weather on scene was wind southwest force 7-8 sea state moderate to rough with good visibility. A line was passed to the vessel, and a tow was quickly established between the two vessels.
Due to the conditions over the bar once the yacht was in relative safe waters Hayling Rescue came out and transferred a lifeboat crewmember and a casualty drogue from the ALB to the yacht.
The drogue is trailed behind the yacht when entering the harbour with large following seas that could pick the yacht up and push it uncontrollably into the stern of the lifeboat or even past the lifeboat.
At 3.08pm the vessels all safely entered the harbour, and the yacht was brought to a alongside tow with the ALB for the passage into Sparkes marina where Hayling Rescue assisted in berthing the yacht.
At 4.09pm the Selsey ALB departed Sparkes marina after being released by the Coastguard. The ALB arrived back at station at 5.04pm and was recovered straight away.
Stella Sims, Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 316675, [email protected]
Sam Haddad, Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England,
07483 316552 [email protected]
Or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789, [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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.
RNLI at 200
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
