Boats diverted : D-Class and then Atlantic 85
Date : Sunday 21 September
Diverted at : 11:45
Returned at : 13:45
Weather : Fine and bright but with a strong NW F5 wind
Solent Coastguard received a mobile phone call from a power boat that reported it had equipment failure, so he asked the D-Class to divert from its training exercise to assist. A second call from the power boat stated that the skipper ‘thought they could be near the Chichester Harbour Entrance.’ Owing to the weather conditions in the harbour mouth, the Coastguard then asked the Atlantic 85 to divert and assist. Once at the Chichester Harbour Entrance no vessel in trouble could be seen and since the casualty had no radio it could not be found using direction finding equipment. So a search was instigated involving both lifeboats and after a third telephone call which suggested they were SW of the Bar Beacon they were found, clearly waving a bright orange fender for help and being ignored by passing yachts! There were 3 on board + a dog and they were very sensibly all wearing lifejackets including the dog. The D-Class rigged a tow and took them into Sparkes Marina where it was discovered that the starter motor had failed. They were then fortunately able to get a tow home to Itchenor from a friend in another vessel.
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