Littlehampton RNLI called to assist yacht with two people on board
The police received a 999 call at 6.48pm on Sunday 7 August from a member of the public, who happened to be a sailor, reporting a yacht struggling in very blustery conditions and was failing to progress against the strong wind.
The police contacted the coastguard, who then requested assistance from Littlehampton RNLI.
Littlehampton RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Renée Sherman, and volunteer crew launched at 6.58pm and headed out to the reported location, half a mile off Rustington beach.
Arriving at the scene the lifeboat came alongside the casualty and the occupants stated that they were fine and prepared to continue their journey back to Littlehampton Yacht Club.
Due to the ebbing tide and the possible risk that the yacht could have difficulty entering the harbour, the lifeboat crew decided to stand by and escort the yacht back to its mooring in case they experienced any further difficulty.
Once inside the river the yacht started to struggle against the strong river current and was taken under tow by the lifeboat.
On arrival at the Yacht Club the tow was released and the casualty was safely moored.
The lifeboat returned to the station at 8.00pm where it was refuelled and made ready for service.
RNLI media contacts
• Ray Pye, Littlehampton RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer / 07854 074688, email [email protected]
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
• Sophie Coller-Nielsen Press Officer (London/East/South East), 0207 6207416, 07824 416615 email [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.