Two Rescued After Boat Sinks Near Littlehampton Harbour

(c) RNLI

Two men have been rescued after their boat sank just outside the entrance to Littlehampton Harbour.

The Littlehampton RNLI lifeboat was launched shortly after 7.30pm on Saturday following reports of a 15-foot cuddy in trouble around 100 metres south of the harbour entrance.

The boat had sunk by the time rescuers reached the area, with the two men found standing in waist-deep water.

The pair had fired two flares, which helped the lifeboat crew pinpoint their location.

Littlehampton RNLI's D-Class lifeboat, Spirit of Fidelity, brought both men safely back to shore. They were described as cold but otherwise well.

Coastguard personnel and members of the lifeboat's shore crew met them at the harbour before taking them to the lifeboat station to warm up.

Chris King, launch authority at Littlehampton RNLI, was attending a wedding reception when the call came through and left to coordinate the rescue.

He said the incident highlighted the commitment of the station's volunteers, who train to respond to emergencies around the clock.

Mr King also warned about the conditions on the River Arun, describing it as one of the UK's fastest-flowing rivers while pointing out that the water can become extremely shallow around low tide.

He said the conditions were particularly challenging because Saturday evening coincided with a low spring tide.

Mr King added that everyone at Littlehampton RNLI was relieved the two men were well after their ordeal.