A 32ft yacht ran aground on rocks off Bognor Regis on Wednesday evening, triggering a dramatic rescue operation. The lone sailor onboard, an elderly gentleman, became stranded after the yacht’s engine failed.
The UK Coastguard responded quickly, dispatching teams from Littlehampton and Selsey, alongside RNLI lifeboats. However, adverse weather and challenging tides prevented the lifeboats from approaching close enough to either pull the man onboard or secure a line.
Determined to save the sailor, three Coastguard Rescue Officers waded through icy waters to carry out a risky technical water rescue. They reached the man just as he was beginning to suffer mild hypothermia and escorted him safely back to shore.
Once on land, the sailor received urgent medical attention from the South East Coast Ambulance Service before being transported to hospital. Meanwhile, Coastguard teams secured the yacht, allowing lifeboats to stand down after the rescue was complete.
The rescue teams stood down shortly after 4am. The yacht’s owner is now organising salvage operations, and the public is urged to keep clear of the vessel until the operation concludes.
Originally published by UKNIP.
