Boat launched : Atlantic 85
Date : Saturday 20 October
Launch at : 17:17
Returned at : 18:10
Weather : Calm and fine with a F3 Easterly wind
Solent Coastguard requested we go to assist a small fishing boat which had broken the pull-cord on its engine and so could not start it. The casualty vessel was 2.5 miles S of Chichester Harbour, so the Atlantic 85 was launched and went to assist. Once at the scene a crew member went on board and tried to start the outboard engine with a spare pull cord, but all efforts failed and it refused to start.
The fishing boat was therefore taken in tow back towards Langstone Harbour. The Portsmouth Lifeboat was also out and towing another boat in, but ended this task and so was asked to take over the towing of the fishing boat back into Langstone Harbour. The two lifeboats met in Hayling Bay, where the tow was passed on and the Hayling Atlantic returned to Hayling Lifeboat station.
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