Both Selsey Lifeboats had been exercising on the 3rd September 2014 and were preparing to rehouse at 8.05 p.m. when Solent Coastguard received an emergency phone call from a member of the public saying they could hear shouts for help and could see three persons in the water close to a jet ski.
The position given was approximately ¼ of a mile offshore from the beach at Bunn Leisure. The Tyne class all-weather Lifeboat, 'Voluntary Worker', had to abort rehousing just as they were about to touch the slipway. The 'D' class 'Betty and Thomas Moore' was able to proceed immediately. The weather on scene was wind easterly force 4 moderate sea state with a clear sky.
With failing light the 'D' class crew quickly located the three persons just as the all-weather Lifeboat arrived on scene. The three men were exhausted having nearly made it to shore with the jet ski in tow. They said they had been wake boarding and the rope used for towing the board had been sucked into the impeller on the jet ski rendering it disabled, and they had been shouting out for help for around 30-40 minutes whilst trying to swim towards the shore. 'Voluntary Worker' was released to return to station and rehoused at 8.30 p.m.
The three men were wearing black wet suits and black floatation jackets which helped to keep them warm and afloat but not easy to see in fading light or darkness, which was quickly approaching. The three men were taken aboard the inshore Lifeboat and the jet ski was towed back to the East Beach ramp where they had launched from. The Selsey Coastguard team met the inshore Lifeboat on arrival at the ramp and confirmed that no medical attention was required. At 8.56 p.m. the inshore Lifeboat was released to return to station and rehoused at 9.02 p.m.
ILB CREW: Dave Lamdin (Helmsman), Colin Pullenger, and Max Wiseman (Trainee).
AWL CREW: Willy Pledger (Coxswain), Phil Pitham (Mechanic), Max Gilligan, Gary Pearce, Craig Sergeant, Carol Tipping, Kristina Dolan (Trainee), and Steve Somner (Trainee).