Selsey inshore lifeboat (ILB) Betty and Thomas Moore launched at 12.30pm after Solent Coastguard had received a report from a member of the public stating that an elderly man was in the water after his dinghy had capsized approximately 50 yards offshore from East Beach.
The ILB was quickly on scene at 12.33pm to find the 70-year old man clinging to the back of a moored angling boat. Apparently he had gone to step into the dinghy from his angling boat when the dinghy capsized leaving him in the water.
By 12.41pm the man had been taken back to the beach along with his dinghy wet but otherwise unharmed. Sensibly he had taken the precaution of wearing a lifejacket which probably saved his life.
The lifeboat was released to return to station arriving back at 12.44pm, rehousing straight away she was once again ready for service at 1.30pm.
CREW: R.Archibald (Helmsman), J.Albery, S. Troughton-Smith
WIND: Southerly 0-1. SEA: Calm. WEATHER: Hot & Hazy