Selsey RNLI relief inshore lifeboat (ILB) Mabel Davies launched at 4.04pm to investigate a report of a small dinghy broken down and drifting approximately 100 yards offshore from Hillfield Road, Selsey.
The ILB and volunteer crew were on scene at 4.09pm approximately 100 yards offshore from the Coastguard Tower, Selsey, where they found the dinghy with two young men aboard. In fact the dinghy was anchored and the men happily fishing.
It transpired that initially when they left the beach close to the lifeboat station they struggled to start their outboard engine and drifted over the Bill Point, which was reported to the Coastguards by a concerned member of the public. However once they had got the engine running they were quite happy to continue their afternoon’s angling and so did not require any assistance.
The ILB was released by Solent Coastguard to return to station at 4.22pm and arrived back at 4.29pm. Mabel Davies was rehoused straight away and once again made ready for service by 5pm.
CREW: G.Pearce (Helmsman), A.Lee, J.Reeves.
WIND: South-Southwest 2. SEA: Smooth. WEATHER: Hot and sunny.