Selsey inshore lifeboat (ILB) Betty and Thomas Moore launched at 2.51pm at the request of Solent Coastguard to assist two persons in the water from a capsized kayak in the vicinity of the Bill Point.
The lifeboat and volunteer crew were on scene at 2.54pm followed by the coastguard service helicopter Rescue 104. Both persons, a father and daughter, were wearing lifejackets but unfortunately they were the wrong type for kayaking and failed to inflate. Luckily the daughter had managed to swim safely ashore. However the father had tried to cling to his kayak but in the choppy conditions was unable to do so and was swept away in the tide eventually managing to hang on to a beacon on the Bill Point. Due to the very strong current and the fact that his hands and legs were being cut severely by barnacles after a couple of minutes he tired, lost his grip and was swept round the Bill Point and further out to sea.
At 2.55pm the lifeboat crew dragged him aboard the ILB. The man was very distressed, exhausted and close to drowning. The crew rushed him back to the lifeboat station where he was given first aid and oxygen therapy.
On his return to the station the casualty was reunited with the daughter and his wife. Due to the fact that both father and daughter had swallowed sea water an ambulance was called and both were taken to St Richards hospital as a precaution against secondary drowning.
The ILB crew recovered the kayak and equipment and returned to station at 3.30pm. Betty and Thomas Moore was rehoused and made ready for service once more by 4pm.
CREW: G.Pearce (Helmsman), J.Albery, Z.Belcher.
WIND: Southwest 3-4. SEA: Choppy. WEATHER: Sunny