Boats launched : Atlantic 85
Date: Wednesday 20 July
Launched at : 01:00
Returned at : 02:10
Weather : Fine with F6 E wind
A 45ft yacht was anchored in Chichester Harbour and made a Mayday call when it found that it had dragged its anchor and caught the lifting keel on a sandbank. The lifeboat found the yacht off Stocker Lake and unable to raise the lifting keel. A crew member went onboard to secure a tow and as the yacht was gently pulled off the bank the skipper managed to raise the keel. Once in deeper water the yachts engine was started and the tow slippped. Because of the night conditions and the skipper still recovering from an eye operation, the lifeboat escorted the casualty to safety in Sparkes Marina,where they were met by the Coastguards.
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