Heroic Lifeboat Crew Rescue Fisherman From Sinking Boat Off Shoreham
The all-weather and inshore lifeboats launched just before 10:30am on Tuesday after the Shoreham National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) spotted a fishing vessel sinking three-quarters of a mile south of Shoreham Harbour.
Man Spotted Struggling in Water Without Lifejacket
As debris floated in the water, a crew member on the all-weather lifeboat spotted a man struggling to stay afloat—without a lifejacket. The fisherman was quickly pulled to safety and confirmed he was the only person on board the 33ft vessel before it sank.
He was transferred to the inshore lifeboat and rushed back to the lifeboat station for urgent assessment and warming.
New Coxswain’s First Mission Ends in Dramatic Rescue
The all-weather lifeboat stayed behind to clear debris, while the grateful fisherman said: “I can’t thank the lifeboat crew enough. They saved my life.”
It was the first rescue mission for Shoreham’s newly qualified lifeboat coxswain-mechanic, Simon Williams.
“The fisherman didn’t even have time to send a Mayday call because the boat sank so fast,” Williams said.
“He was incredibly lucky the NCI spotted him and alerted the coastguard. We found him drifting in the water after about 20 minutes, without a life jacket. We’re just glad we could respond and bring him home safe.”
