Busy Fathers Day Weekend for Portsmouth RNLI Volunteers

The first launch came on Saturday evening at 8:21pm when Solent Coastguard requested the launch of Portsmouth RNLI's Atlantic 85 lifeboat to a 22ft motorboat in difficulty just outside the entrance to Langstone Harbour. The vessel had suffered engine failure and was taking on water while being carried by a strong ebb tide towards the busy main shipping channel.

After locating the casualty, an RNLI crew member was transferred aboard to investigate the source of the water ingress. The problem was quickly identified and resolved, preventing any further flooding of the vessel. With daylight fading and the vessel unable to make way under its own power, the crew established a tow and safely escorted the motorboat to Southsea Marina. The Atlantic 85 and her volunteer crew returned to station and were recovered by 10:10pm.

Less than 24 hours later, the station was called out again.

At 4:50pm on Sunday afternoon, Portsmouth RNLI's D class lifeboat launched following reports of two children drifting further offshore in an inflatable. Concern quickly grew when it was reported that the children's father had entered the water in an attempt to reach them but was struggling with the distance offshore. He was reportedly clinging to a paddleboard while a member of the public in a canoe also headed out to assist.

As the lifeboat made its way to the scene, an update from Solent Coastguard confirmed that the father had successfully reached the inflatable and was now with the children. However, the inflatable continued to drift away from the shore. The volunteer crew continued towards the reported location, checking a distant object spotted offshore while maintaining contact with the Coastguard.

Shortly afterwards, further information confirmed that the family had safely made their way back to the beach. The crew proceeded ashore to carry out a welfare check and, after confirming everyone was safe and well, took the opportunity to share important water safety advice before being stood down by Solent Coastguard at 5:23pm.

Volunteer D-class Helm Ant Lewis said:

'Both incidents show how quickly a day on the water can change. In the first callout, a routine mechanical failure left a vessel vulnerable to flooding and being swept towards a busy shipping channel. In the second, what began as children playing in an inflatable quickly developed into a situation involving multiple people attempting a rescue.'

'As we move into the summer season, we'd remind everyone to be aware of local tides and offshore winds, particularly when using inflatables. If you find yourself in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Abi Hinton, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]

Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 488243, [email protected]

Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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