Two men rescued after their vessel catches fire
Two men have been safely rescued after their vessel caught fire off the coast of Selsey Bill yesterday afternoon (4 June).
HM
Coastguard launched the search and rescue operation just after 1pm after they received multiple 999 calls reporting the 44ft motor vessel on fire.
Selsey
Bill Lifeboat and the Lee-on-Solent Coastguard helicopter were sent to the
scene.
A
mayday relay broadcast was also issued by the Coastguard and several nearby vessels
responded and made their way to the stricken vessel to assist.
The
two people onboard, who were wearing lifejackets, had abandoned their ship to a small dinghy which was quickly spotted by the RNLI Lifeboat.
The
two casualties were picked up by the lifeboat and were
assessed by paramedics. One person was reported to be suffering from burns
and the other person had minor injuries. They were both airlifted to Southampton General Hospital for treatment.
The vessel was later reported to have sunk.
The MCA's Counter Pollution and Enforcement Teams were notified, along with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.