Local sailor just misses the rocks!

Boats launched : Atlantic 85 and D-Class

Date : Friday 9 November

Launched at : 18:45

Returned at : 19:35

Weather : Dark and with a SW F4 wind

An elderly sailor had navigated across Hayling Bay and round the Chichester Bar Beacon but then his electronic navigation aids went on the blink. He was in his 28ft motor yacht ‘Ebb Tide’ and has been sailing for many years but lost his way in the confusion and ran aground on the beach within 10 feet of one of the very large rock groynes.

He called the Solent Coastguard who asked the Hayling Island RNLI Lifeboat Station to go to his assistance. The Atlantic 85 lifeboat was launched and reached him very quickly as he was very close to the lifeboat station. The first concern was for the skipper who was not visible on board and so the D-Class inshore lifeboat was launched and a shore crew sent to investigate. The skipper was found on board but clearly shaken by the situation with the boat being lifted and banged down onto the shingle and sand shore.

The lifeboat crew heeled the heavy boat to one side to free her off the sand, and with a tow attached managed to pull her off the beach and tow her round to Sparkes Marina. She was checked for any water coming into the boat and the crew made sure the casualty was also alright. Once lifted the following day the extensive damage to the vessels rudder and keels was apparent. Senior Helmsman Andy Ferguson said ‘He was very fortunate to have missed the rocks on the point as the damage and outcome could well have been much worse.’

Once all was safe the boats returned to the station and were made ready for service.

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Service Numbers 2019

Total Launches: 84
Atlantic 85: 42
D-Class: 42

Services Totals

2015 - 67
2014 -77
2013 - 86
2012 - 77

Tide Times

Tide times and heights not available for http://www.tidetimes.co.uk/rss/chichester-harbour-entrance-tide-times

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