Littlehampton RNLI called by Selsey RNLI to assist in rescue operation.
The UK Coastguard received a mobile phone call from the skipper of a 47ft tug with three crew on board reporting his vessel had suffered engine failure and was drifting without any power three miles from Littlehampton’s harbour entrance.
Littlehampton RNLI were advised that Selsey RNLI’s Tyne Class lifeboat
Volunteer Worker and volunteer crew were in attendance. Littlehampton’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Nick White, contacted the harbour authority to check mooring availability for the vessel and relevant tide levels.
Following direct VHF communication with Selsey RNLI, Littlehampton’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Renée Sherman and volunteer crew launched at 3pm on Saturday 21 January to assist in the recovery of the casualty and to help in escorting it back to Littlehampton Harbour.
The Selsey crew had already attached a tow line to the front of the vessel in preparation for its recovery. Both lifeboats returned to the harbour, where the casualty was safely moored and then they returned to their respective stations.
A RNLI spokesman said: 'In the end, the operation was a very good example of how the co-operation between the two RNLI stations really worked in rescuing the casualty and its three occupants.'
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]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 email [email protected]
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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