Six people plucked from sea by Hayling Lifeboat after boat overturns
HAYLING Lifeboat crews rescued six people from the water after their inflatable RIB boat had capsized in choppy seas close to Chichester Bar.
Two lifeboat crews were deployed after receiving a paged message from Solent Coastguard after passing yacht had made Mayday call after seeing the boat capsize.
Three men and three women had to be plucked from the two metre high swell where they were described as ‘showing signs of shock’. The casualties were transferred to a waiting Atlantic 85 lifeboat where the group were taken ashore for medical care.
An ambulance was called for one of the casualties but after an hour of observation they were all discharged from the care of paramedics.
An RNLI statement said: ‘Not all of the six crew had life-jackets on and they were lucky that a passing yacht took swift action to save them. We would advise all crews to wear life-jackets at all times when out on the water.’
The lifeboat crew managed to ‘right’ the overturned rib and towed it back to Chichester Harbour.
The rescue took place late yesterday afternoon (Thursday August 20).