On Friday (12th Dec) Eastbourne’s all-weather lifeboat Diamond Jubilee went to the assistance of a 38ft charter fishing vessel which had suffered engine failure 13 miles South West of Sovereign Harbour.
The vessel with eight anglers on board was heading towards fishing grounds in the English Channel when the engine suffered a catastrophic failure. With no propulsion and in water too deep to safely anchor they had no alternative but to call for assistance. With no other vessel in the area capable of helping, Solent Coastguard eventually requested the assistance of the volunteer crew of Eastbourne Lifeboat.
When the lifeboat arrived on scene a tow was rigged and the disabled vessel was taken back to the safety of Sovereign Harbour.