Lifeboat Rescue Mission

The boat owner William Wooton, was heading back to Littlehampton after cruising to Worthing with Steve Bather, their three children and a friend, when the engine failed four miles off shore.

After several attempts to re-start the engine, Steve used his mobile phone to notify Littlehampton Lifeboat. However, with the lifeboat crew in sight, William managed to start the engine. No one was injured.

Steve, 39, of Rustington, said: "William and I have a casual arrangement if the conditions are good we will go water skiing. He rang me on his way home from work on the day and we agreed to meet.

"William took along his eight-year-old daughter Madeline and I took along by daughter Emily, seven, son Samuel, nine, and his friend Guy Harris.

"We set off at approximately 6pm from Littlehampton and went into the bay. The sea was a little bit choppy for skiing so we went on a cruise to Worthing.

"On the way back, when the engine cut out, we thought the cut-off switch had overheated so waited 40 minutes before trying the engine again.

"Nothing happened and we tried to use the short wave radio, but could get no response from the emergency channels. I decided to use my mobile to call 999.

"Eventually, we could see the lifeboat coming out. We had contact with them using the radio. William tried the engine again and, as luck would have it, it started.

"The lifeboat crew were very happy to be called out and transferred me and the kids onto the lifeboat. One of the men got onto the boat with William and we all went back to the shore.

"We got back at 9.15pm. It was a bit of a trip. The lifeboat crew were fantastic."

Fortunately, no one was injured. According to Steve, the children saw it as a memorable adventure.

He said: "They were all happy to get a ride on the lifeboat. They couldn't wait to get to school and tell people."