Littlehampton RNLI assists broken down fishing vessel
The volunteer crew of Littlehampton RNLI were called into action to assist a fishing boat that had broken down five miles south of Littlehampton this afternoon (10 April).
The crew, who are based at Littlehampton RNLI’s lifeboat station in Fisherman’s Quay, were tasked by HM Coastguard at 5.00pm to assist the six-metre fishing boat with three people on board. The boat’s engine would not start, and its VHF radio had failed. The Coastguard had broadcast a request for help from other vessels but had received no response.
When Littlehampton RNLI, on lifeboat Renee Sherman, arrived alongside the fishing boat, they assessed the situation and decided that the best course of action was to tow the vessel to the nearest safe and suitable port – Littlehampton Harbour. The crew rigged up a tow and set course for Littlehampton, entering the harbour at 6.25pm. The boat was safely moored at Littlehampton Yacht Club and Renee Sherman returned to the lifeboat station.
Nick White, Littlehampton RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘We are always happy to assist those in trouble in local waters. Littlehampton RNLI is run entirely by volunteers from the local community, and we receive no government funding. When the pager goes off, our crew drops whatever they are doing to launch our lifeboats and save lives at sea.’
ENDS
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Beth Brooks, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI
07544 209256 [email protected]
Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, London and South East
07785 296252 [email protected]
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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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