Following a VHF radio call to the coastguard from the vessel reporting engine failure, Littlehampton RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Renée Sherman and volunteer crew launched at 9.52am on Wednesday 26 October.
The lifeboat headed out in fine weather conditions towards the reported scene seven miles south east of the harbour entrance. The casualty with one adult male on-board had left Brighton earlier in the day, but then suffered a fuel blockage, causing the engine failure. On the journey to the scene, it was reported that the crewman had managed to re-start the engine and would try and return to Brighton. The lifeboat and crew began escorting the casualty back towards Brighton. After a short period, the engine failed again, so the lifeboat crew rigged a tow line to the casualty in preparation for its recovery.
The casualty was taken under tow and was then handed over to Brighton RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Random Harvest four and a half miles south of Shoreham to complete the journey back to Brighton. Littlehampton’s lifeboat returned to the station at 11.57am where it was refuelled and made ready for service”