Hayling RNLI Lifeboat rescues cats from a sinking catamaran.
The Hayling RNLI Atlantic 85 lifeboat went to the assistance of a catamaran taking water into the port hull and rescued the skipper and his two cats.
Solent Coastguard requested we launch to go to a 34ft catamaran moored in Chichester Harbour which was flooding with water into the port hull. The Hayling Lifeboat was quickly launched and went to where the catamaran was moored north of Sparkes Marina in Chichester Harbour. The casualty vessel (pictured) was listing badly to port and so a crew man went on board and found the port hull already flooded.. Despite having a salvage pump on the lifeboat there was little that could be done until low water some 6 hours later when it would be dark. It was decided to take the skipper and his two cats to safety ashore whilst also towing the boats tender.
The skipper decided to return the following day and collect his tender and see if he could cure the leak at low tide. Sadly by then the whole boat had flooded and so repairs on the mooring were not possible.
Key facts about the RNLI
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 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and 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. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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