Holed yacht A YACHT ADRIFT in a strong southerly gale and in very large breaking seas two miles off the Wittering shore in Bracklesham Bay and drifting westwards was reported to the lifeboat authority of Hayling Island ILB station by HM Coastguard at 1110 on Thursday, October 14, 1976. Selsey lifeboat had been launched and Hayling Island Atlantic 21 wasasked to stand by.

A later sighting indicated that the yacht was in the region of the 'wrecks' off Chichester Harbour entrance and it was realised that she would be driven ashore before Selsey lifeboat could reach her. Hayling Island ILB was therefore asked to launch. This she did at 1117, in poor visibility and on a flooding tide.

The ILB encountered very large seas over Chichester Bar and at 1140 came up alongside the yacht Sundew, a 36' bermudan sloop, one mile south southeast of the inshore lifeboat station. She was broadside to the seas and being swamped; her engine was out of action, her sails in shreds and she had a hole in her bows.

The ILB successfully manoeuvred alongside and a member of her crew went aboard, where three men were sheltering in the waterlogged cabin. A line was passed and secured and, with large seas astern, a difficult tow begun.

Eventually the yacht was taken to a sheltered mooring in Chichester Harbour, her crew being landed at Hayling Island Sailing Club at about 1240.

The ILB returned to her station at 1305 and was rehoused seven minutes later at 1312.

For this service letters of appreciation signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, Director of the Institution, were sent to Helmsman Patrick Lamperd, Crew Members Nicholas Danby and Simon Wilson and Swimmer Paul Covell..