Lifeboat crews called out twice during gale

The crew from the RNLI station, in Fisherman’s Quay, were first called at 3.36pm to help a sailboarder in the water who had become separated from his board in the rough seas off Bognor Regis, near the town’s pier.

Part way into the journey it was reported the casualty had managed to make his own way to shore and was not in need of any medical assistance but Solent Coastguard requested the crew to continue and recover the board in the interest of safety.

Minutes later a second call was received about another sailboarder in distress, this time in the sea near Littlehampton.

Crews arrived at 4.14pm but could not find the man in the water. A subsequent check by coastguard staff on land revealed all boarders were accounted for and the search was called off.