Fishermen left clinging for their lives after boat capsizes at Chichester Harbour

Two fisherman, with no lifejackets on, were had to cling for their lives after their boat capsized amid strong winds at Chichester Harbour on Thursday (June 11).
Chichester HarbourChichester Harbour
Chichester Harbour

According to the RNLI, the recreational fishermen were left swamped in Bosham Channel, clutching onto a moored yacht while calling for help, as rain poured down.

Neither of the two fishermen were wearing a life jacket in their small boat and had warm jumpers 'which became heavy when wet'.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They were eventually saved by a rescue team from Haying Island RNLI Station, led by new helm Sharon Swan — the first woman to lead crew in over 100 years of lifesaving at the station

Sharon said: "It went well and I am glad to have completed a successful rescue.

"We are all relieved that the two men are fine and even got their boat back, but we would advise all boat and other watercraft users to wear a life jacket at all times."

Deputy Launch Authority Jules Hewson said Sharon was 'totally in command' and completed a 'very professional service with a good outcome'.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After launching the D-Class lifeboat after being alerted by the Coastguard, Sharon and two crew members battled through the strong winds over tide to the Bosham Channel and located one of the soaking fishermen. The elder of the two had already been helped ashore by a passing boat.

However, the second fisherman, a 50-year-old man, 'couldn’t get aboard'.

An RNLI spokesperson said: "On arriving at the scene the lifeboat crew found the second casualty had by this time been helped to shallower water but had been in the water for some 20 minutes.

"He was taken aboard the lifeboat, wrapped in blankets and landed ashore at Bosham Quay. An ambulance had been called by the Coastguard team and the paramedics checked both fishermen and declared them OK to go home."

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.

Related topics: