Hayling RNLI Lifeboat responds to a Pan-Medico call for help.

A 6m power vessel left Hayling Yacht Company Marina on a fine Sunday afternoon and quickly ran aground on an ebbing tide. At first the three crew members were content to sit out the time until the next incoming tide floated them off but one of the crew had a medical issue and didn't have enough drugs to see out the time until the next tide some 6-8 hours later.

They made a Pan Medico call to the Coastguard who immediately called Hayling Island Lifeboat station to ask them to launch the D-Class lifeboat ‘Jacob’ and affect a medical evacuation. ‘Jacob’ was soon on the scene and able to reach the casualty vessel. They laid out the anchors to make the vessel safe and took all three crew off the power boat and returned them to the Lifeboat Station. After a medical assessment to ensure they needed no further treatment they were reunited with relatives and taken home, as they planned to return to the boat a few days later. The crew member needing the medication promised to take more pills with him next time out!

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.