Rescues

Ducks in a Row

In September 2007, both Littlehampton lifeboats were launched in response to a call for help from two fishing boats about a mile south of the harbour entrance. One of the fishing boats was towing the other, which had broken down, when the engine of the towing boat burst into flames. The fire was quickly extinguished, but the risk of further fire was too great to attempt to restart the engine.

Both casualties were taken in tow by Littlehampton's Atlantic 75 lifeboat, Blue Peter I but almost immediately a second call was received from a diveboat which had also broken down, about 10 miles south of the harbour. The first tow was taken over by Littlehampton's D-Class inshore lifeboat so that Blue Peter I could proceed to the third casualty. All three casualty vessels were towed to their launch sites and moorings.

Powerless Powerboat

In July 2007 Solent Coastguard requested the launch of Littlehampton Lifeboat to attend to a 21ft powerboat in difficulty a couple of hundred yards off the beach, with three persons aboard. By the time Blue Peter I was on scene 3 minutes after launching, the boat was aground and its crew struggling in the surf to keep the boat afloat. Fortunately the lifeboat recovered the casualty and its occupants, and towed the boat into the harbour.

On The Rocks

In June 2007, a Mayday was transmitted just after 2am by a 43ft  yacht after she found herself grounded on Bognor Rocks and sinking. Littlehampton's Atlantic 75 lifeboat Blue Peter I was on scene twelve minutes after launching, and the D-Class lifeboat, 'Spirit of Juniper' joined her shortly afterwards. Once alongside and having checked that the person on the yacht was safe, the crew attached pumps and started to empty the flooded bilges. Selsey's 47ft Tyne class all weather lifeboat was also launched, and provided additional pumping capacity.

The water flowing in was successfully stopped, and they towed the stricken yacht to Littlehampton, but only after waiting for the flood tide to provide enough depth to move the lifeboat. The yacht and its owner were towed to Littlehampton and the yacht was secured to the visitor moorings at Town Quay.