Boat Launched: Atlantic 85
Date: Friday 27th January.
Launched at: 12:58
Returned to Station at: 14:25
Weather: NNE F5.
A 34 foot vessel made a call requesting assistance as she was taking on water and although in the harbour east of Itchenor, the situation was urgent. Solent Coastguard upgraded the call to a Mayday status and asked for an immediate launch. Because of the apparent urgency the Atlantic 85 was launched, and the Coastguard Helicopter was diverted to the scene. Hayling Rescue were first to arrive and reported that the boats bilge pump was coping with the water ingress. The lifeboat put a crew member on board who found that a cooling hose had been melted by an overheating engine and so when the engine was stopped, so did the water coming in. The lifeboat towed the vessel to Chichester Yacht Basin where it was secured to a pontoon, and met by the Selsey Coastguard patrol unit. The Atlantic 85 returned to the station and was made ready for further service.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________