Both Selsey lifeboats joined the Coastguard helicopter Rescue 104 in a search for a missing swimmer off Aldwick, Bognor Regis.
The Inshore Lifeboat 'Betty and Thomas Moore' launched at 13:06 with a crew of two and kept close inshore whilst heading along the coast to the search area, just to the East of Pagham Harbour entrance.
The All Weather Lifeboat 'Voluntary Worker' launched at 13:13 with a crew of seven. Whilst on route, four crew remained on deck to keep a lookout. Meanwhile the navigator began to plan a search pattern allowing for the affects a strong tide and a fresh breeze would have on a person in the water.
At 13:20 Rescue 104 reported sighting a swimmer and guided the Inshore lifeboat towards the man’s position. Thankfully the swimmer was found to be in no distress but was happy for the Inshore lifeboat to run him ashore to meet a Coastguard team from Littlehampton.
All Search units were then stood down and returned to station with the confirmation that the incident had turned out to be a false alarm with good intent.
Both Lifeboats returned to the station at 13:22. The ILB was recovered immediately, washed down and made ready for service at 13:35. Due to wind and tide the AWL had to wait until 14:55 to be re-housed, and then was made ready for service at 15:25.
ILB CREW: G.Pearce (Helmsman), C.Sergeant.
AWL CREW: W.Pledger (Coxswain), M.Gilligan (2nd Coxswain), P.Pitham (Mechanic), S.Troughton-Smith, C.Tipping, A.Lee, J.Reeves.
WIND: Southwest 3-4. SEA: Slight. WEATHER: Sunny.