Littlehampton RNLI called out to assist capsized dinghy
On Monday 30 May, following a call from a member of the public to the coastguard reporting a capsized dinghy with one person in the water one mile south of Rustington, Littlehampton RNLI’s lifeboat Atlantic 85 Renée Sherman and volunteer crew launched at
The lifeboat headed out to sea in fine, windy weather conditions towards the reported location, where, on arrival there was no sign of the casualty.
The lifeboat crew located a man in a dinghy apparently towing a pot marker buoy, one and a half miles south of the harbour entrance.
Coastguard helicopter R163 joined in the search operation for the capsized dinghy, nothing was seen and the helicopter stood down.
The lifeboat crew made contact with the man in a dinghy who was having difficulty returning to the shore, drifting in the strong wind, and it was now apparent that he had lost his mast and sail power. The man was taken aboard the lifeboat and the crew requested the launch of the station’s D-class lifeboat Ray of Hope to assist in the recovery of the dinghy, due to impending low water.
A tow was rigged up between the D-class and the casualty, with the man remaining on the Atlantic 85. On returning to the harbour, the casualty and its occupant were landed at their mooring, where the coastguard team were waiting to speak with the occupant.
Both lifeboats returned to the station at 10.40am, where they were 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 [email protected]
• James Oxley, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) 0207 6207425 / 07786 668825, 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.