Littlehampton RNLI rescue stranded fishing boat.
The skipper of the vessel had made VHF radio contact to the UK Coastguard advising that his boat had suffered engine failure.
Following a call from the UK Coastguard, Littlehampton RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Renée Sherman and volunteer crew launched at 11:21am on Friday 18 January and headed out towards the reported scene three quarters of a mile from the harbour entrance in cloudy weather conditions, good visibility and a choppy sea. The stations D Class inshore lifeboat Ray of Hope and crew were kept on standby, due to the falling tide, in readiness should the water be to shallow for the Atlantic 85.
On arrival the casualty with two adults on-board had dropped anchor to prevent any drifting. Following VHF radio contact between the lifeboat crew, UK Coastguard and the lifeboat station, it was confirmed that the water level was deep enough for the Atlantic 85 lifeboat and crew to continue with the rescue and get alongside the casualty where the crew rigged up a tow line in readiness for its recovery. The anchor was recovered, and the lifeboat commenced the tow back to the Osborne Yard Moorings, where the casualty and two crew were safely returned. The lifeboat returned to the station at 12:11pm where it was refuelled and 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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