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.

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