Yacht runs aground at Selsey Bill

The UK Coastguards received a call from the Blue Silk and Selsey all weather lifeboat (ALB) was requested to launch at 5.15pm.

The skipper of the yacht reported he had machinery failure on a journey from Brighton to Southampton.

Volunteers on the lifeboat barely had time to put the aerials and mast up before they were alongside the casualty as they were aground 400 metres off the lifeboat station.

The Blue Silk came off the sea bed unaided and was towed to Chichester harbour, where it could be lifted out if needed to check for damage.

The harbour entrance was reached at 7.27pm and at 7.58pm the Blue Silk was safely berthed alongside at Sparkes marina inside Chichester Harbour.

The lifeboat departed Sparkes at 8.13pm to return to station.

On returning to station at 9.05pm the wind had increased enough to make rehousing too dangerous so this was aborted until 3.30am Wednesday morning.

The lifeboat went to anchor on the west side of Selsey Bill which was sheltered from the weather and the crew remained on board.

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