Selsey Lifeboat Station

Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches

22nd May 2022

Selsey Inshore Lifeboat Launched to Person in the Water After UK Coastguards Receive Numerous Emergency Calls

The incident was off the Marine Beach car park and reports indicated that the person had been on a jet ski which had started to sink.

The inshore Lifeboat (ILB) launched at 5.37 p.m. on Sunday 22nd May and made best speed to the area. The person was spotted by the crew of the ILB shortly after rounding the Bill and came alongside the person at 5.39 p.m. A welfare check of the casualty was made and he indicated that he was OK and so the ILB Helmsman decided to go to the jet ski a short distant away which was semi-submerged with the bow up.

The weather on scene was calm conditions in sunshine. Once alongside the jet ski the Helmsman decided to make an attempt to tow the craft and hopefully it would come up out of the water. Once the craft was under tow it was decided to take the casualty and the craft to the launching ramp at East Beach, Selsey, where the casualty’s brother was going to meet him and recover the jet ski.

The man had departed from Itchenor and was coming to Selsey but just off of the end of Hillfield Road the engine failed, and the craft started to sink. Although he was wearing a wet suit it wasn't zipped up fully and he wasn't wearing a lifejacket. The casualty was landed at the launching ramp at 6.20 p.m. and recovered. Selsey Coastguard Rescue had travelled from Marine Beach car park to meet the ILB and take details from the casualty.

The ILB was released by the UK Coastguard at 6.30 p.m. to return to station.

CREW: Colin Pullenger (Helmsman), James Albrey and Neil Hopcraft.