At 6.40pm on Friday (15 March), after having towed a small yacht to safety and before rehousing, Selsey RNLI all weather lifeboat Voluntary Worker was tasked to assist the 70-foot Volvo Ocean racing yacht “Puma” suffering with complete loss of power.

The yacht was drifting in a gale of wind approximately 8 miles south of the station with 8 crew on board. After a rough passage out to the casualty with the wind now blowing southwest gale force 8-9 the lifeboat arrived on scene at 7.20pm.

A towline was passed with some difficulty due to conditions and a course was set for Portsmouth. Progress was slow until the shelter of the Solent was gained at 10pm. At 10.30pm the tow was shortened before entering the harbour. The tow continued into the harbour where the casualty was brought alongside and at 11.05pm the “Puma” was safely berthed in Gosport Marina.

At 11.15pm the lifeboat departed Gosport Marina to return to station arriving back at 12.10am on the 16th May, rehoused straight away, and was ready for service by 1.15am. 

CREW: W. Pledger (Coxswain), D. Lamdin (2nd Coxswain), G. Pearce (Mechanic), M. Gilligan, C. Sergeant, Z. Belcher. WIND: South to Southwest 8-9. SEA: Rough. WEATHER: Rain squalls.