Selsey’s inshore lifeboat (ILB) sprang into action at 1:30 pm on Saturday, September 2, following reports received by the UK Coastguard of a person in the water urgently calling for help. The individual’s distress signal came from just west of Bill Point, prompting an immediate response.
The Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team and the Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 175 were swiftly mobilized. Fortunately, a local angling vessel came to the rescue, recovering the distressed person from the water. They were safely returned to the beach and greeted by the Selsey Coastguard team.
The casualty had been fishing on a kayak near the lifeboat station when they capsized and found themselves unable to re-enter the kayak. Drifting along the coast and around Bill Point, they wore a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and had a VHF Radio, which they used to alert the Coastguards about their predicament.
With the successful rescue by the angling vessel, the ILB and Rescue 175 were stood down, and all units returned to their respective stations.
Later that evening at 11:17 pm on the same day, the RNLI inshore lifeboat (ILB) was launched following a report to the UK Coastguard about a missing swimmer. The swimmer had entered the water with a friend just east of the lifeboat station but had disappeared from their companion’s sight, prompting concern.
In response, Selsey and Hayling Coastguard Rescue Teams, along with Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 175, were also deployed to assist in the search and rescue effort.
As the ILB prepared to launch, spare crew members used searchlights to scan the shoreline. Once on the water, the ILB crew fired two white parachute flares to illuminate the area, aiding the search effort.
Within minutes of launching, the missing person was spotted within the beam of the searchlight. The ILB quickly approached the casualty, who was semi-conscious, and safely brought them aboard. Immediate medical attention was administered by the ILB crew as they headed back to shore.
Upon reaching the shore, the casualty had fully regained consciousness and was safely carried into the station for further care and warming. A South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) ambulance had been summoned and took over the medical care upon arrival.
Following the successful rescue operation, the ILB was recovered, thoroughly washed down, and refueled in preparation for any future emergencies.
