Solent Coastguard requested the launch of Selsey inshore lifeboat “Betty and Thomas Moore” after receiving reports from the public of a small white dinghy being blown out to sea with three persons in it approximately half a mile offshore from Pagham Yacht Club.
The lifeboat launched at 1853 and arrived on scene at 1901 to find the casualty was the same boat and young males plus one extra crewman as they attended yesterday. The occupants were totally surprised to see the lifeboat as they were happily fishing. The fact that they had absolutely no safety equipment, their paddles were pieces of soft wood with plywood nailed on the ends and their anchor consisted of numerous lengths of coax arial wire tied together with 3 weights from a gym tied to the end; they still couldn’t understand why the members of the public who had seen them leave the beach were concerned for their safety!
At 1906 having convinced the three young men the most sensible option was to tow them ashore again they were taken back to the beach where they were given further advice about safety and wasting peoples time by the Coastguards. The ILB was released at 1946 to return to station arriving back at 1958 and was ready for service once more at 2015.
CREW: R.Wiseman (Helmsman), P.Pitham, W.Moir.
WIND: Southwest 2. SEA: Smooth. WEATHER: Sunny.