Mayday from divers answered by Littlehampton RNLI
On Sunday afternoon 18 May with clear skies and a moderate southerly breeze the RNLI crew of Littlehampton B-Class inshore lifeboat Renee Sherman were tasked by HM Coastguard following a Mayday call from a dive boat approximately two miles south of Middleton-on-Sea.
RNLI volunteer crews from both Littlehampton and Selsey lifeboat stations made fast progress to the scene. A Mayday had been called from the dive vessel as the electrics had failed whilst there were four divers in the water. As a consequence of the failure the dive vessel was drifting eastwards on the flooding tide and it was imperative that the divers were able to locate their craft on surfacing. Two divers were recovered to the dive vessel with Selsey RNLI in attendance and two divers were recovered to Littlehampton’s lifeboat Renee Sherman. All the divers and three dive vessel crew were confirmed to be uninjured and well.
The casualty vessel was then taken under tow by the Littlehampton lifeboat crew heading to their home port. The Selsey lifeboat crew were stood down so that they could return to their station. Once in Littlehampton harbour the dive vessel was moored up at the Town Quay pontoon.
Nick White, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Littlehampton lifeboat station and Launch Authority for this incident, said: ‘When tasked to a Mayday call our shore and lifeboat crews are especially aware of the importance of their roles, particularly in instances where there are known to be persons in the water. On arriving at the scene, along with their colleagues from Selsey RNLI, the Littlehampton lifeboat crew were able to quickly recover two of the divers to the lifeboat and then assist by returning the casualty vessel to safe harbour. No matter how well prepared a vessel is, being out at sea in an exposed environment can lead to equipment failure and we are delighted to have been able to play a key role in bringing the divers and their support crew safely back to harbour.’
ENDS
RNLI media contacts Anthony Fogg, Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI 07823 509032 [email protected]
Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager – SE & London, RNLI 07724 801305 [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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.