UK Coastguards received a Mayday call from a dive boat with a diver who had had a rapid accent from 31 metres. The coms with the boat was very poor and the only position received put the boat 14 miles south of Bognor. The Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R175 and Selsey Lifeboat were tasked.
The crew pagers went off at 4.13 p.m. on Sunday 16th August and the all-weather Lifeboat (ALB) launched at 4.24 p.m. making best speed to the area. Whilst on route the Coastguards reported that the dive boat was heading towards Selsey. When the dive boat could see the helicopter and ALB approaching they ignited an orange smoke flare to make them easier to find. The weather on scene was a slight breeze in sunshine.
At 4.37 p.m. the ALB arrived on scene and the winchman/paramedic was lowered to the Lifeboat before going alongside the dive boat. Once alongside the casualty vessel the winchman and a casualty care Lifeboat crewman went aboard the vessel to assess the diver who was already on oxygen from his own boat's supply. After assesment the diver was transferred to the Lifeboat with the oxygen to be made ready for the winching.
At 4.54 p.m. the winchman and the casualty were lifted off of the Lifeboat by the R175 and left the scene bound for St Richard's Hospital where the recompression chamber is located.
The ALB returned to rendezvous with the dive boat to return the oxygen cylinder before being released by the Coastguards. The ALB departed the scene at 5.07 p.m. and returned to the beach at Selsey at 5.29 p.m. and was recovered to the carriage straight away. Recovery, washing down, refuelling and making the Lifeboat ready for service was completed by 6.30 p.m.
CREW: Dave Lamdin (Coxswain), Phil Pitham (Mechanic), Max Gilligan, James Albrey, Max Wiseman and Harry Emmence.