Boat on exercise : Atlantic 85
Date : Sunday 30 March
Incident at : 11:00
Returned at :12:30
Weather : Calm with S wind
Whilst on exercise the Atlantic 85 crew spotted a motor boat in the Chichester Harbour entrance with clouds of smoke billowing from it. They went alongside and it was clear that the five crew and large dog needed to be immediately evacuated into the lifeboat. VHF calls were put out to the Coastguard, the Fire & Rescue Service and to request the D-Class lifeboat to assist. A crew member closed all the hatches onboard the casualty vessel to starve the fire of oxygen and then the crew and dog were brought ashore at the Lifeboat Station. The D-Class lifeboat put a line onto the motor boat and towed her to a position close to the Lifeboat Station to await the Fire Service.
Two fire engines arrived and the crew used their equipment to check the fire and make certain that it was out. Then the D-class lifeboat towed her to Sparkes Marina where a further more detailed inspection by the Fire Service was carried out and it was confirmed that the fire had been caused by overheating engines. With boat and crew and the dog safe the lifeboats were released to return to the station.
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