Four Casualties Pulled From the Solent

Monday, July 06, 2009
Posted 19:12 GMT

Four people were rescued from the Solent this afternoon as Solent Coastguard co-ordinated the rescue of two swimmers in Littlehampton and two people from a holed yacht near Southsea.

At half past one this afternoon Solent Coastguard received a Mayday call on Channel 16 from an eleven metre sailing yacht; the Octavia reporting that they had hit a submarine barrier off Southsea and were now holed and sinking. Although they were both wearing lifejackets, further reports yielded that they were having difficulties inflating their liferaft, and so Solent Coastguard immediately sent Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 104 and the Portsmouth Coastguard Rescue Team to their rescue, as well as requesting the launch of the Portsmouth and Bembridge Inshore Lifeboats. Hampshire Police Launch and the warship Cattistock heard the Mayday relay and also proceeded to the scene.

Only a few minutes later Solent Coastguard received reports of two swimmers, a 14-year-old girl and an 84-year-old man being swept out to sea at Littlehampton. Strong Southwesterly winds had managed to sweep the girl under Littlehampton Pier, and her elderly grandfather was swimming to her aid.

With the lifeboats already on scene and assisting the two people on board the yacht Octavia, the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter was diverted to rescue the swimmers, who, in the rough seas and strong winds, were in danger of being swept out to sea. The Littlehampton Lifeboat was also requested to launch, and was quickly on scene, pulling the elderly man from the water. The helicopter winched the girl and then collected the grandfather from the shore and they were both transported to Worthing Hospital, where they were met by Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Team.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth Inshore Lifeboat rescued the man and woman from the holed yacht and transferred them into the Police Launch, which safely brought them ashore. Portsmouth and Bembridge Lifeboats remained on scene attempting to pump water from the Octavia so that she could be refloated and avoid her being a hazard to other shipping.

Solent Coastguard Watch Manager Matt West said:

The fact that the man and woman aboard the yacht Octavia managed to quickly perform a Mayday and were well equipped with lifejackets saved not only their own lives, but meant that immediate attention could also be given to the two people in danger of being swept out to sea in Littlehampton. The quick response of the lifeboat allowed the Coastguard Helicopter to be diverted to the the young girl and elderly gentleman who, in rough seas and increasingly strong winds, were in serious danger.

We would never advise against a late afternoon swim in pleasant weather, but always stay within the constraints of both your ability, and the weather.

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401