Whilst on exercise at 1911 Selsey inshore lifeboat “Betty and Thomas Moore” was tasked by Solent Coastguard to investigate a report from a member of the public of an 18 foot boat drifting close inshore with apparently no one in it.
The lifeboat was on scene at 1914 approximately a quarter of a mile northeast of the station. A crewmember was put aboard to investigate whether there had been recent occupation of the boat, which there didn’t appear to be. The boat was then anchored and the crew went to the beach and spoke to the first informant of the incident. It transpired that he had seen two youths swim out to the boat on its mooring release it and then appeared unable to start the outboard engine so abandoned it swimming ashore and running off.
The crew returned the boat to its mooring and at 1928 were released to continue with their exercise.
CREW: D.Lamdin (Helmsman), P.Delahunty, G.Pearce, A.Lee.
WIND: East- southeast 2. SEA: Smooth. WEATHER: Sunny.