At 6.10pm prior to launch on weekly exercise the helmsman on Selsey inshore lifeboat Betty and Thomas Moore contacted Solent Coastguard and was informed of an elderly person who had been missing from a local care home since 4.30 pm.
The inshore lifeboat (ILB) launched on service at 6.15pm and started a shoreline search westward to Shore Road in East Wittering, in conjunction with local coastguard units and the police helicopter.
Once the inshore lifeboat reached East Wittering, Solent Coastguard then asked them to return to Selsey whilst continuing to search.
At 7.10pm Solent Coastguard informed all of the search units that the person had returned to the care home and was safe and well.
The ILB returned to station at 7.10pm was rehoused at 7.30pm and once again made ready for service by 7.50pm.
CREW: G.Pearce (Helmsman), J.Albrey, S.Troughton-Smith.
WIND: Southwest 4-5. SEA: Moderate. WEATHER: Overcast.