Late-Night Lifeboat Drama in Selsey
On the evening of March 30, 2024, Selsey RNLI’s inshore lifeboat sprang into action after reports of a half-sunken dinghy washing up on Hillfield car park beach’s west side.
Swift Rescue Operation
The UK Coastguard received the call, and at 9:27 pm the D-class inshore lifeboat (ILB) was launched without delay. Before the lifeboat set out, the Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team and Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) gathered on site.
They spotted the dinghy about four metres offshore. After quick talks between the LOM and Coastguard Rescue Team, the ILB crew was paged and headed straight to the scene.
Dinghy Vanishes, Then Found by Friends
By 9:35 pm, the lifeboat arrived and swept the area thoroughly. The dinghy had disappeared from its original spot and was drifting against a nearby sea defence groyne.
Moments later, friends of the local fisherman who owns the vessel turned up, saying they’d take care of the recovery themselves.
Mission Stand Down and Safe Return
The lifeboat crew informed UK Coastguards, who immediately stood down all units. The ILB crew, helmed by Harry Emmence with Will Moir and Neil Martin, returned safely to station by 9:56 pm.
The dinghy drama ended without incident, thanks to a prompt and professional response from Selsey’s rescue teams.
