30/08/2026
29 Aug 2026
Selsey all-weather lifeboat launched to assist Hayling lifeboat with yacht with water ingress
The UK Coastguards received an emergency call from the yacht stating that they were taking water close to the entrance to Chichester Harbour.
Hayling Atlantic 85 lifeboat was initially tasked by the Coastguard and attended transferring two crew and a pump, but it soon became apparent the water ingress was too much for the pump and the yachts own pumps, so the Hayling lifeboat helmsman requested assistance.
The Selsey RNLI all-weather lifeboat(ALB) was requested and launched at 12.59pm on Friday 28 August and made best speed to the position. Arriving on scene at 1.18pm the Selsey ALB transferred a bigger pump and one crewmember to the yacht via the Hayling lifeboat.
The weather on scene was wind westerly force 5-6 sea state moderate
In good visibility.
Once the ALB pump was set the water level was reduced considerably and the skipper of the yacht managed to stem the flow.
The water ingress was caused whilst the vessel was exiting the harbour under power, the anchor deployed and when it reached the seabed the yacht stopped suddenly and it appeared the anchor warp hooked the propeller and pulled the shaft out .
At 2.08pm the yacht was free from the seabed after the anchor warp was cut by the lifeboat crewmembers on board the vessel.
A line was passed to the yacht, and a tow was established between the Selsey ALB and the yacht.
Arrangements were made for the yacht to be lifted out of the water at Northney marina their home port. Once inside the harbour the yacht was brought to a alongside tow for the passage up to the marina.
At 3.13pm the marina was reached and the tow was transferred to Hayling lifeboat as there was not enough water for the ALB to operate safely.
Once inside the yacht was manoeuvred under the slings of the lifting crane and out of the water.
At 3.55pm the Selsey ALB was released by the Coastguard and arrived back at Selsey at 4.27pm and was recovered straight away.
The crews today were
Coxswain Colin Pullenger,
Mechanic James Albrey,
Pip S***t,
Neil Hopcraft,
Turner James,
Tom Ford,
Shore crew:
Head launcher Richard Brady,
Driver Richard Wiseman,
Max Wiseman,
Mark Penny,
Paul Harding,
James Crabb,
Notes to editors
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.
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