The RNLI volunteer crew were on exercise on Sunday 8th June 2014 conducting a man overboard drill. Solent Coastguard had received a report from a woman on the beach that a small rubber dingy with possibly two children on board appeared to be struggling to make it back to shore in a position 200 metres off the beach at West Sands caravan site Selsey.
The 'D' class Lifeboat 'Betty and Thomas Moore' was east of the boathouse when the call came from the coastguard at 2.56 p.m. so the crewman in the water was quickly recovered and best speed was made to the area of beach where the woman was. After speaking with her the Lifeboat headed for the casualty arriving on scene at 3.11 p.m.
The dingy had one male occupant who was rowing towards the shore. When told that the tide was changing and he would struggle to make the shore he said he had just realised that and was therefore heading in. Solent Coastguard was informed that he required no assistance and they released the lifeboat to return to station at 3.23 p.m. When the dingy had safely reached the shore the lifeboat returned to station.
On the way back the Lifeboat called in at the beach to thank the woman for reporting it and tell her the outcome before continuing back to station, arriving at 3.35 p.m. and rehousing straight away. The weather was calm with unbroken sunshine.
CREW: Gary Pearce (Helmsman), Andy Lee, Dan Langford (Trainee), Max Wiseman (Trainee).