Littlehampton RNLI launch to assist RIB suffering engine failure.
Littlehampton RNLI tasked to rescue the RIB following a 999 mobile phone call from the casualty to the UK Coastguard.
The stations Atlantic 85 lifeboat Renée Sherman and volunteer crew launched at 8.13pm on Monday 9 June and headed out to sea in overcast weather conditions. The casualty with four people on board was reported to be three miles south east of the harbour entrance. At the scene it was confirmed that the four people were all safe and well. The lifeboat crew rigged up a tow rope to the casualty in preparation for its return to the harbour. During the return journey the lifeboat was redirected by the UK Coastguard Coastal Rescue Team following a call from a concerned member of the public reporting two paddle boarders appeared to be in some difficulty. The location was four hundred yards offshore, opposite East Beach Café, within the area of the lifeboats passage back to the harbour. Arriving at the location it was confirmed by the Coastal Rescue Team that it was a kayak with two people aboard fishing and they were both fine and didn’t require any help. As there was no further action required, the lifeboat continued the journey back to the harbour, where the casualty was landed at the public slipway. The lifeboat returned to station at 9:10pm, where it was made ready for service.
RNLI media contacts
- Ray Pye, Littlehampton RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer / 07854 074688, email [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252, 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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