Littlehampton RNLI volunteers rescue two mariners aboard sunken vessel

The crew were tasked by HM Coastguard shortly after 7.30pm to the 15-foot vessel, which was about 100 metres south of the harbour entrance.

The station’s D-Class lifeboat Spirit of Fidelity was launched and the crew headed straight to the vessel, which had been located by two flares.

When the crew got to the stricken cuddy, the two male casualties were standing in waist-deep water. Cold but well, they were transferred safely to the lifeboat. The crew took them back to the visitor moorings in Littlehampton Harbour, where they were met by waiting Coastguards and shore crew, who took them to the lifeboat station to warm up.

Chris King, Littlehampton RNLI Launch Authority, left a wedding reception to coordinate the incident response. He said: “At Littlehampton RNLI, we’re all volunteers who train hard in all weathers, 24/7. When the pager sounds, we drop everything to save anyone in distress.

“The River Arun is one of the fastest-flowing rivers in the UK, but the water can become extremely shallow at low tide, especially a low spring tide like yesterday evening. We’re all relieved that the casualties were well despite their ordeal.”

ENDS

RNLI Media Contacts

Beth Brooks, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Littlehampton RNLI, 07544 209256 [email protected]

Stella Sims, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 316675, [email protected]

Sam Haddad, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 01202 137713, [email protected]

Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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