“Voluntary Worker” was tasked at 13:46 hrs. to search for a fisherman suspected to be lost overboard from the Littlehampton fishing vessel “Breadwinner”, approximately 2.5 miles S.S.E of Littlehampton Harbour entrance. The 18-foot boat had been discovered by a passing vessel with its nets over the side, brought up stern first in the tide with nobody aboard.
The alarm was raised at 11:43 hrs.both lifeboats from Littlehampton were launched. A Mayday relay was broadcast by Solent Coastguard to which 2 naval vessels responded-H.M.S.Severn and H.M.S.Tracker. These vessels headed for the scene and launched their RIBs.
At 14:14 hrs ”Voluntary Worker” was on scene and carried out a thorough search until 17:45 hrs when unfortunately, with nothing being found, the lifeboat was released to return to station.
It transpired that the missing fisherman was a Mr.John Healey aged 47.
CREW: W. Pledger (Coxswain), R. Archibald (2nd Coxswain/Mechanic), M. Gilligan, P. Delahunty, W. Moir, C. Sergeant, Z. Belcher.
WIND: SW 6-7. SEA: Moderate. WEATHER: Sunny.