Shoreham RNLI rescue four from sinking rowing boat

Shoreham RNLI crews rescued four people after their rowing boat began sinking around a quarter of a mile from Shoreham Harbour. The incident happened at about 11.30am on January 16 when the outrigger rowing boat was seen in difficulty off the Sussex coast.

The vessel was first spotted by volunteers from the Shoreham National Coastwatch Institution, who alerted HM Coastguard and kept the boat under observation. Shoreham RNLI’s D-class inshore lifeboat, the Joan Woodland, was launched and arrived on scene shortly afterwards.

The RNLI said the experienced group had been caught out by sea conditions and were unable to keep up with the amount of water entering the boat. The lifeboat crew took the vessel under tow, brought the occupants ashore to bail out, and escorted them safely back into the harbour to the Sussex Yacht Club, where they were met by the local coastguard team.