At 2118 Selsey all weather lifeboat “Voluntary Worker” had returned from a search and rescue demonstration off of Pagham Yacht Club and was about to rehouse when Solent Coastguard received two reports of a sighting of a suspected red flare seen from Pagham.
Rehousing was suspended pending interrogation of the two informants by Littlehampton Coastguards. At 2204 the lifeboat was tasked to a position some 5.5 miles southeast of the station to commence searching an area determined by Solent Coastguards. After searching for approximately 1.5 hours the lifeboat was released to return to station having found nothing untoward.
The lifeboat arrived back at 2340 rehoused straight away and was ready for service once more at 2400.
CREW: M.Rudwick (Coxswain), W.Pledger (2nd Coxswain), P.Pitham (Mechanic), M.Gilligan, R.Archibald, P.Delahunty, I.Porter, Z.Belcher, plus non-enrolled crew B. Jenkins and L. Mariner.
WIND: North-northeast. SEA: Calm. WEATHER: Clear night.