Selsey all weather lifeboat Voluntary Worker launched at 2331 to investigate several reports of a red flare sighted offshore between Aldwick and Bognor Pier.
A visual and Radar assisted search was carried out in the area outside and inside of Bognor Rocks. The search was aided by the firing of white illuminating parachute flares to prompt a response from possible casualties in the area. Littlehampton Coastguards were conducting a beach search and interviewing the witnesses to the sighting of the red flare. One witness stated that the red flare had drifted down and landed onshore along Bognor seafront. Having fired white parachute flares ourselves and noting the trajectory and drift with what little wind there was it was obvious that the flare had been fired from the foreshore. Coupled with the fact that Littlehampton Coastguard had come across 4 or 5 youths who ran off as they approached to talk to them; at 0031 07.08.08 the lifeboat was released and the incident dismissed as a hoax.
Voluntary Worker returned to station 0110 rehoused straight away and was ready for service once more at 0145.
CREW: M.Rudwick (Coxswain), D.Lamdin (2nd Coxswain), P.Pitham (Mechanic), C.Pullenger, S.Borg, G.Pearce, P.King.
WIND: West-northwest 1. SEA: Calm. WEATHER: Cloudy with lightning.