Four people rescued from fishing vessel off Littlehampton
Four crew were
rescued from the sea this afternoon after a fishing vessel sank off
Littlehampton.
The blue
fishing vessel set out a Mayday alert using vhf radio at 15:25. They reported
that their boat was taking on water and their pumps were not coping. The RNLI
lifeboats based in Littlehampton and Shoreham were sent to the scene along with
the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter based at Lee on the Solent, which had been
training in the area.
At 15:38
Coastguards coordinating the rescue received a mobile call from the crew
reporting that their boat had now sunk and they were in the water, wearing
lifejackets and holding on to a buoyant yellow fuel tank. Using mobile phone
technology available to the Coastguard and its helicopters the helicopter crew
were able to talk directly to the people in the water and marked their position
until the lifeboats arrived on scene.
One of the
lifeboats has now returned the crew to shore where they are receiving medical
attention.
UK Coastguard
Commander Steve Carson said:
“The crew did exactly the right thing
and quickly called for help when they realised the situation was getting out of
their control. The Coastguard recommend that where possible,
all vessels are fitted with VHF DSC radio equipment which can send a distress
alert and, if it is linked up to GPS, an accurate position of your vessel to
the Coastguard with one touch of a button.
“This
incident is another reminder why you should wear a lifejacket. I’m sure this
crew were grateful for their protection whilst they waited to be rescued.”