Dramatic Rescue After Dinghy Capsizes Off Pagham
On Sunday 21 June, HM Coastguard sprang into action after reports of three people stranded in the water when their dinghy capsized near Pagham. At 6.12pm, Littlehampton RNLI lifeboat volunteers launched their D Class lifeboat, Ray of Hope, despite fierce Force 6 westerly winds.
Braving Rough Seas and Low Tide
The three-strong crew battled strong winds and choppy waters straight out of Littlehampton harbour. With low tide hitting at 6.15pm, it was touch-and-go whether the larger B Class lifeboat, Renee Sherman, could make it out. But with lives at risk, it was deployed to back up the rescue effort, carefully navigating shallow harbour waters.
Multiple Rescue Units Rush to the Scene
Meanwhile, Selsey’s lifeboat crew also launched, and the Coastguard helicopter from Lydd was scrambled, sending three lifeboats and an aircraft racing to the incident.
Good Samaritan and Successful Rescue
In a heroic twist, a private jet ski rider from Pagham beach hurtled out to assist the victims. By 6.35pm, all three people – two adults and a child – were safely ashore. The Selsey lifeboat also recovered the wreckage of the dinghy to Pagham Yacht Club. The Coastguard helicopter stood down shortly after at 6.45pm.
Nick White, Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: “The sea conditions were rough, making it tough for our crew. While visibility was good, anyone in the water is a serious concern – so we moved fast. Heading directly into a Force 6 wind slowed our progress, so we called on our colleagues in Selsey. They reached the scene first, but luckily the casualties were already safe.”
“The sea at the capsize location was slightly calmer than at Littlehampton but still very rough. Small inflatables like the one we recovered are simply not fit for such conditions.”
