Dash to save Dotty mariner.

- Fri 20th Oct 2006

Yesterday afternoon just after 5.30pm Hayling Island Coastguard team member,
Steve Mann, witnessed what he thought was a SOS message flashed by torchlight
towards the Control Tower at Hayling Island Sailing Club. Steve responded to the
SOS message by switching the lights on and off in the Control Tower.

The
casualty was identified and was indeed using Morse code as he had recently
transferred all of his safety equipment from his 28ft fishing vessel onto a
newly acquired boat. He was running this vessel from Emsworth to Thorneham
Marina, a distance of about 4 miles, when he ran aground and started to take on
water. Steve Mann then alerted Solent Coastguard Marine Rescue Co-ordination
Centre who requested the launch of the RNLI inshore and D-class lifeboats from
Hayling island to the casualty who was transferred to Hayling Island Lifeboat
Station, where he was checked over by a crewman who is also a paramedic. His
vessel was towed back to Sparks Marina by the inshore lifeboat.

Steve
Mann said afterwards, "I was absolutely amazed to see the flashed SOS message.
This man was caught out on the one occasion he went to sea with absolutely no
safety equipment. Even without radio communication going to sea without even a
portable flare is extremely dangerous and could cost you your life." 

By forum user, Bruce_Bennett