Fishermen rescued in Chichester Harbour after clinging for life

The recreational fishermen were left swamped in Bosham Channel clutching onto a moored yacht while calling for help on Thursday as rain poured down.

Hayling Island RNLI Station, led by new helm Sharon Swan - the first woman to lead crew in over 100 years of lifesaving at the station - raced to the rescue after receiving the call from the Coastguard.

After launching the D-Class lifeboat, Sharon and two crew members battled their way through perilous conditions before locating one of the soaking fishermen. The elder of the two had already been helped ashore by a passing boat.

The second fisherman, a 50-year-old man, had been helped to shallow water before being picked up by the lifeboat after being marooned in the harbour for 20 minutes.

After arriving at Bosham Quay an ambulance was called before paramedics checked the men over and decided they could go home.

Sharon said: ‘It went well and I am glad to have completed a successful rescue. We are all relieved the two men are fine and even got their boat back, but we would advise all boat and other watercraft users to wear a lifejacket at all times.’

Deputy launch authority Jules Hewson said of Sharon: ‘She was totally in command and completed a very professional service with a good outcome.’

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