3 July 2011
Assistance provided to yacht ‘Nenriki’ becalmed and drifting with a fouled propeller
Selsey RNLI all weather lifeboat Voluntary Worker launched at 7.30am to assist the 29 foot yacht ‘Nenriki’ becalmed and drifting with a fouled propeller approximately 2 miles south south-east of the lifeboat station.
The lifeboat was on scene at 7.44am and discovered that the two crew members (a father and son) had unsuccessfully been trying to remove a plastic sack which had become entangled around the propeller. In the flat calm and clear water conditions it was easy to see the offending piece of plastic.
Four of the lifeboat crew went aboard the yacht, and along with the father and son positioned themselves on the bow, which had the desired effect of lifting the propeller almost clear of the water. Another lifeboat crewman working from Voluntary Worker’s inflatable dinghy was then able to reach under the propeller and remove the plastic sack.
By 8.14am the propeller was cleared and Nenriki’s skipper trialled his propulsion equipment which proved to be undamaged. The lifeboat crew then returned to Voluntary Worker and at 8.19am the yacht and crew continued on their passage to Brighton Marina.
The lifeboat then returned to station arriving back at 9.40am and was once again made ready for service by 10am.
· For photos and videos of Selsey RNLI lifeboat and crew visit the RNLI Press Centre at www.rnli.org.uk/press
All home, safe and sound, that's what we like to here! Well done to all at Selsey Lifeboat Station.
