Littlehampton RNLI respond to three incidents over the weekend.

At 2:04pm on Saturday 14 July, whilst out on training exercises the stations Atlantic 85 lifeboat Renée Sherman and volunteer crew came across a jet ski half a mile from the harbour that had two people onboard. The jet ski appeared to be suffering with a stability problem, which was confirmed by one of the occupants. The second occupant was taken onboard the lifeboat which then escorted the jet ski safely back to the beach. At 2:09pm a VHF radio call was received from the UK Coastguard to the lifeboat, following a 999 call from a member of the public reporting a person in the water waving for help. The lifeboat was returning to its training exercise and was very close to the scene, two miles east of the harbour. The apparent casualty was a jet skier who was sitting on his wakeboard untangling the lines between the jet ski and the wakeboard and did not require any assistance. The lifeboat and crew returned to their exercises at 2:11pm.

Following a call from the UK Coastguard, reporting an eleven-year-old boy drifting eastwards to sea, the stations D Class lifeboat Ray of Hope and volunteer crew launched at 6:20pm on Sunday 15 July and headed out to the reported location opposite Rustington Convalescent Home. The casualty was located on ‘winkle island’, a rocky peninsula attached to the beach which can only be seen towards low water. He was standing up but was very frightened. The lifeboat came alongside, and two lifeboat crewmen disembarked and were able to walk the casualty to the beach where he was safely handed over to his family. The casualty who had received cuts and bruises to his feet was treated by the paramedics who were in attendance. The lifeboat departed and returned to the station at 7:08pm where it was made ready for service.

RNLI media contacts

• Ray Pye, Littlehampton RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer / 07854 074688, email [email protected]

• Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252, email [email protected]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.