Selsey’s new inshore lifeboat “Betty and Thomas Moore” launched on its first service call at 1728 to go to the assistance of a 23 foot power boat “C’est La Vie” broken down and drifting onto a lee shore with two male persons on board approximately 1 mile south of Pagham Harbour entrance.
The lifeboat arrived on scene at 1737 to find the two persons in a small rubber dinghy with 4-horse power outboard trying to tow the larger vessel into safe water. The lifeboat put the two men and one crewmember back aboard their vessel and attached a towline to tow the vessel into open water. The ILB then asked for the assistance of the all weather boat as conditions on scene were on the limits of the ILB operational capabilities.
The all weather lifeboat “Voluntary Worker” launched at 1744 and arrived on scene at 1759. The tow was transferred to the ALB releasing the inshore lifeboat to transfer one of the casualties to the ALB as he was complaining of being very cold and seasick. A crewmember P.Pitham from the ALB was transferred back to the casualty vessel to assist the remaining person.
At 1832 the ILB was released to return to station, which took an hour to reach as now the wind had increased to approximately force 7. The ALB commenced a slow tow towards Littlehampton Harbour. At approximately 1920 in a position 1 mile south of Littlehampton a request was made to Solent Coastguard to launch Littlehampton inshore lifeboat to meet us and to transfer the casualty ashore from the ALB as his condition had not improved and the tide was still too low for the ALB to enter the harbour. It transpired that he had actually been overboard from the small dinghy and in the water for 20 mins.
Littlehampton lifeboat arrived alongside “Voluntary Worker” at 1945 and took the casualty from us back to their station where an ambulance was awaiting. After handing over the casualty to ambulance personnel the Littlehampton Lifeboat returned to sea to take over the tow of “C’est La Vie” into the harbour this was successfully achieved in difficult conditions
At 2045 once the Littlehampton lifeboat was in the safety of the harbour Selsey lifeboat was released to return to station, arriving back at 2145 rehousing straight away and was made ready for service once more by 2225.
ILB CREW: C.Pullenger (Helmsman), J.Albery, C.Sergeant.
ALB CREW: M.Rudwick (Coxswain), P.Delahunty (Acting 2nd Coxswain), R.Archibald (Mechanic), P.Pitham, S.Borg, B.Luke, Z.Belcher.
WIND: Southwest 6-7 inc 8. SEA: Moderate to rough. WEATHER: Cloudy/ heavy showers.