10-05-2014 17:25 Blue Watch The Hayling Island RNLI D-Class Lifeboat was launched at 17:25 in response to the call from Solent Coastguard . A man in his 60’s had fallen into the water whilst transferring from his anchored yacht to his tender. The Casualty had the oars for the tender, its outboard engine and a small back pack but laden with these items and in a choppy sea(F7 SW) he missed his footing and fell into the water. His bad luck continued as the tender drifted away on the wind! He was quite resolute however and walked/waded through the water and mud until he reached the old causeway connecting Hayling to the mainland. Getting there he had become exhausted and was unable to continue - realising he was surrounded by deeper water and with a rising tide he called 999 . The D boat was quickly on scene, and found the man. They took him and his various items into the lifeboat and having wrapped him in a thermal blanket to keep warm took him to Langstone Sailing Club(LSC). Once the Lifeboat crew were satisfied the casualty was well he was left in the care of the LSC members. Then the lifeboat crew went looking for his tender which had travelled some way on the wind. It was found on the Northney Shore, recovered, and taken back to the sailing club and secured! The Lifeboat then returned to station and was made ready for service
Posted on: Sun, 11 May 2014 20:10:01 +0000