Selsey inshore lifeboat “Betty and Thomas Moore” launched at 2134 to search for possible missing persons after an empty drifting dinghy, with oars rigged was spotted by a beach angler approximately 100 metres off of East Beach Selsey. The young angler had no means of communication and it was only when his father arrived at 2100 to pick him up that the alarm was raised. The ILB searched through the local moorings and as far east as Pagham Harbour before returning to search close inshore west of Selsey Bill.
At 2145 the all weather lifeboat “Voluntary Worker” launched to assist in the search after a report was received from the 42-foot motorboat “Princess 42” that she had spotted a capsized dinghy in the area southwest of the Mixon Beacon. The ALB arrived on scene at 2155 and commenced searching. “Princess 42” was released to continue her passage. At 2210 the dinghy was found close to the Boulder Buoy in the Looe channel. The dinghy was recovered aboard the ALB and identified as being the same dinghy reported by the angler. The ALB then proceeded towards the shore west of Selsey Bill to commence searching close inshore towards Chichester Harbour.
At 2237 the owners of the dinghy were located ashore by a local Coastguard search team. They explained that the dinghy had been pushed in empty and no one was at risk. Both lifeboats were released to return to station arriving back at approximately 1050, rehousing at 2302 and were ready for service by 2330.
ILB CREW: P.Delahunty (Helmsman), D.Lamdin, C.Pullenger.
ALB CREW: M.Rudwick (Coxswain), W.Pledger (2nd Coxswain), P.Pitham (Mechanic), W.Moir, J.Albery, C.Sergeant, G.Pearce.
WIND: Southwest 3-4. SEA: Slight. WEATHER: Sunny.