Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches
17th July 2014
Selsey Inshore Lifeboat Aids Two Men in Kayak
|
|
|
|
The RNLI Inshore Lifeboat was launched at 3.46 p.m. on Thursday 17th July 2014 after the two men had used their mobile phone to contact Solent Coastguard saying they were struggling to get back to shore. They said that their position was about a mile off the Selsey Coastguard tower.
The volunteer crew on board the reserve 'D' class Lifeboat 'D675' were on scene with the kayak at 3.53 p.m. in position ¾ of a mile west of the Coastguard tower. The weather on scene was wind 2-3 south east and it was a smooth sea.
The two men had left Pagham beach intending going to Selsey and back but hadn't realised that the tide was as so strong. They proceeded to the Bill point where they were overwhelmed by the current and swept round the Bill to the west side of Selsey. Unable to make headway against the strong tide they were swept further to the west.
Luckily, their mobile phone was still in range, and they were able to notify the Coastguard. The Helmsman of the Lifeboat, Dave Lamdin, decided to establish a tow with the kayak and tow them back to the east side of Selsey Bill where the two males were happy to make their own way back to Pagham.
The Kayak was released at Park Copse and, after checking that they were happy to continue to Pagham, the Inshore Lifeboat returned to station, arriving at 4.40 p.m. and rehousing straight away.
CREW: Dave Lamdin (Helmsman), Andy Lee, Kristina Dolan (Trainee).
Video of this service call courtesy of Max Gilligan, Crew Member and LPO.