At 1448 both Selsey RNLI lifeboats were requested for an immediate launch by Solent coastguard (S.C.G) to help search for a child believed to be in the water on the west side of Selsey. The report had come from a 999 call to Solent Coastguard saying that a child had been blown out to sea on an inflatable and then seen to capsize and get carried away in the tide.
The Selsey inshore lifeboat (Selsey ILB) was first on scene and started its search close inshore. Then the Selsey All weather lifeboat (Selsey ALB) started its search further out to sea. Shortly after the ALB was on scene the coastguard rescue helicopter (rescue 104) arrived and started its search with coordinates passed by S.C.G. The two Selsey lifeboats were then given updated coordinates by S.C.G and asked to carry out the search patterns.
Unfortunately due to the falling tidal conditions, the ALB would not have been able to complete the new search area so requested the launch of the Hayling Island Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat to complete the rest of the search.
With Hayling lifeboat and Selsey Ilb working together the Selsey ALB re-plotted a bigger search area further down tide and in deeper water. As the lifeboat started its search pattern a local fishing vessel ‘Emma Jane’ also joined in.
While the search continued at sea, the Selsey Coastguard team searched the shoreline, beach and spoke to members of the public to gather more information.
It soon became apparent from the evidence they collected that the search for the missing child could be a hoax. This information was passed to the police; they interviewed other witnesses and confirmed that it was. Selsey coastguard contacted Solent coastguard and with this new information at 1800 they stood all units down and asked them to return to station.
CREW ILB: P.Delahunty (Helmsman), C.Harvey, A.Lee
CREW ALB: R. Archibald (Coxswain), D. Lamdin (2nd Coxswan), G. Mellett, M. Gilligan, P. Pitham (Mechanic), J. Albrey, J. Reeves.
WIND: South West, Force 3-4. SEA: Moderate. WEATHER: Overcast.