Selsey inshore lifeboat crew save the life of youth struggling in the sea.
The Selsey RNLI inshore lifeboat was requested to launch after the UK Coastguard had received an emergency phone call saying a youth was clinging to the breakwater marker pole.
A second youth was in the water swimming out to help the first youth. At the time the tide was flowing westerly at approximately 4 knots.
The D class inshore lifeboat (ILB) Betty and Thomas Moore was launched at 4.46pm on Thursday 19 July and made best speed to the location close to the East beach launching ramp. At 4.48pm the ILB arrived on scene and the Volunteer crewmen saw the second youth struggling in the tide and disappear under the surface; they quickly made towards him and with only half his arm showing were able to grab him and bring him into the ILB. While casualty care was being administered to this casualty the other youth was recovered to the safety of the ILB.
The ILB made best speed back to lifeboat station where an ambulance had been requested to attend by the ILB crew. Both casualties were landed at the boathouse at 5.00pm where casualty care continued until the arrival of the SECAmbulance.
The crew aboard the ILB today were Helmsman Rob Archibald, James Albrey and Jake Harnett (trainee)
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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