ILB D533 ‘Peter Cornish’ launched at 1706 hrs to investigate reports of three persons trapped on a bank off of Pagham Harbour.
The ‘Peter Cornish’ arrived on scene to find two males clinging to a body board safe and well but frightened. The two casualties were taken aboard the ‘Peter Cornish’ and transported safely to the beach.
It transpired that one man had originally been swept out to sea on a body board by wind and the ebbing tide flowing out of Pagham Harbour. A second man, his brother, had tried to swim out to assist him but realized the danger and returned to the beach. A third man with an inflatable kayak had paddled out to assist and had capsized, his kayak blew away in the wind and he was left clinging to the body board with the original casualty, which was the situation when the ‘Peter Cornish’ arrived on scene.
The ‘Peter Cornish’ arrived back at station at 1740 hrs, rehoused straight away and was ready for service by 1800 hrs.
CREW: Richard Wiseman (Helmsman), Peter Delahunty, Will Moir.
WIND: NE F3-4. SEA: Smooth. WEATHER: Hot and sunny.