Please select your home edition
Edition
Ocean Safety 2023 - New Identity - LEADERBOARD

Phoenix Yacht Club boats experience two Pan-Pan calls

by Judith Hankey 22 Dec 2021 16:24 GMT
Phoenix YC's RelaX takes on a tow after a Pan-Pan call due to engine failure © PYC

We've had a busy season recently rescuing other boats while sailing at Phoenix Yacht Club. As our 40 ft X-Yacht cruiser RelaX set off on an eleven week summer cruise to the West Country she answered a Pan-Pan in Weymouth Bay.

Banjer, a yacht with engine failure, had called up Solent Coastguard to report they had were not able to sail against the tide. RelaX of Phoenix is a great light winds yacht so she was sailing well, and Banjer was only 1.5 miles away. A quick response to Solent Coastguard confirmed that we would attend and the crew altered course.

A bridle was set up on the stern, using the stern fairleads and the primary winches. They approached Banjer close enough to take their towline and attached it to the bridle with a bowline. They agreed a tow to Portland Harbour, and Solent Coastguard requested an ETA and update once they arrived there. All went to plan and the crew handed the tow over to a Portland Marina launch once they were close to the marina entrance.

The photo shows us towing Banjer, not in a RNLI-type heavy seas rescue scenario! RelaX was now under engine.

We shared this story with all of our members and so everyone learned from it, with key points such as writing down the Pan-Pan (or Mayday) position since you may be able to help, and of course the technique of fitting a bridle and how to tow.

Only a very few weeks later, Quartette, our Westerly 35, was sailing off Hengisbury Head where a dive boat needed assistance and called a Pan-Pan, again in calm seas and again because the engine (which would not start). The skipper and crew now knew how to rig a tow with a bridle and the photo demonstrates just that.

The coastguard were kept fully informed throughout and the dive boat was towed into Christchurch Bay where the tow was transferred.

The thrilled and grateful dive boat crew gave Quartette, our Westerly 35, several freshly caught scallops, which were quickly cooked for tea!

The club owns the two yachts mentioned, which are used by members, sailing out of Gosport: phoenixyachtclub.co.uk

Related Articles

Medway RC Laser Club Winter Series week 10
A blast for the end of the series A great breeze from the NW and showing just over 20 knots to run the last race in the Winter Series. This is the last race before sailing on much bigger dinghies and yachts for most of our racers. Posted on 2 Apr
Topper Winter Championships at WPNSA
135 Toppers took to the eagerly anticipated wild waters and winds of Weymouth The much awaited ITCA Winter Championships finally arrived early March and over 135 Toppers took to the eagerly anticipated wild waters and winds of Weymouth. There was a great buzz around WPNSA as we got our boats ready. Posted on 2 Apr
Performance Meets Comfort
Discover the attributes of Henri-Lloyd's Dynamic Dri Fast Tees Engineered for performance, the Dynamic Dri Fast T-Shirts feature HeiQ Mint anti-odour technology, mechanical stretch, and UPF 50 protection, all while offering moisture-wicking panels and a recycled fabric design for the ultimate in comfort. Posted on 2 Apr
Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by FERGUS day 3
Consistency is keynote as Sofía moves to finals phase With classes moving into the Gold fleet phase today at the 54 Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca by FERGUS Hotels on Mallorca's Bay of Palma so the intensity stepped up and consistency became most important. Posted on 2 Apr
Ancasta Spring Boat Show opens next week
Step aboard a variety of yachts, multihulls and performance RIBs - all in one location Join us at our Hamble office in Port Hamble, near Southampton to step aboard a variety of Motor Yachts, Sailing Yachts, Sailing Multihulls and Performance RIBs - all in one location. Posted on 2 Apr
Wetwheels Cymru is formed
Unlocking boating access for disabled communities in Wales Right now, there is no dedicated Wetwheels boat in Wales — meaning thousands of disabled people are missing out on the freedom, confidence and wellbeing that these opportunities provide. Posted on 2 Apr
BFSLYC Landyacht series round 1 at Brean
A good wind and weather forecast ensured a good turnout across 4 classes Brean Sand Yacht Club hosted the first 2025 round of the BFSLYC Landyacht series for class 2/3, Standart and Mini yachts. Posted on 2 Apr
A united bid for clean water in Northern Ireland
7 water-based National Governing Bodies have come together to tackle the problem Seven of Northern Ireland's water-based National Governing Bodies have come together to tackle the growing issue of polluted water in Northern Ireland. Posted on 2 Apr
International Moth Northerns at Rutland
The first event which the Switch has joined in with The first of the Moth Opens took place over the weekend of the 29th and 30th March and after the success of the Dinghy Show even a sketchy forecast could not put off the Moth or Switch sailors with this being the first event of the year. Posted on 2 Apr
MAC 24 Hour Challenge in Cape Town
Strong south-easter tests Milnerton sailors The Enterprise Dinghy CV6 lost its mast, a Gypsy Dinghy from Plumstead Scouts snapped their centreboard, while other boats had to do running repairs to complete this year's MAC 24 Hr Challenge held at Milnerton Aquatic Club this weekend. Posted on 2 Apr