A milestone shout for two Southend-on-Sea RNLI volunteers
Friday 27 March at 9.24am Southend-on-Sea RNLI pagers alerted the volunteers to an immediate launch. HM Dover Coastguard received a mayday call from a motor vessel that had engine failure with two persons onboard approximately 5 miles east of Southend pier.
Southend RNLI volunteers made their way along the pier to the offshore boathouse where they launched the charity’s Atlantic 85, B-885 Julia and Angus Wright at 10am under the command of helm Tyler Bonham.
In fair weather conditions the volunteers made best speed to the reported position finding the vessel east of Shoebury Boom. The RNLI helm and crew carried out an assessment of the situation. The two persons onboard we in good health, but with the casualty vessels anchor dragging in shallow water, it was determined that the safest and most effective course of action to preserve life and prevent the vessel from becoming a hazard to navigation was to take the casualty vessel under tow.
The casualty vessel was taken under tow to Southend pierhead. On arrival at Southend pier the RNLI lifeboat and casualty vessel were met by HM Southend Coastguard rescue team who were standing by to assist. The vessel was brought alongside and secured with mooring lines. Southend RNLI volunteers were stood down at 12.45pm.
This was Tyler Bonhams first shout in command since passing out as Atlantic 85 helm in December 2025. In addition, this was the first shout for volunteer crew member Chris Nicholls who joined Southend RNLI in January 2025, Chris also celebrated passing tier 1 inshore rescue hovercraft during exercise on Sunday 29 March.
RNLI volunteer helm Tyler Bonham said: ‘It was a proud moment for me to finally complete my first service as a B Class Helm. I’ve been a volunteer crew member for nearly 13 years now, so this was a milestone for me. We’d had a couple of previous callouts where we were stood down by HM Coastguard before launching, so it felt great to get out on the water and do the job. I remember saying to the crew ‘I finally get to switch on the blue flashing lights this time’ which made it feel all the more real. Knowing we were able to assist a vessel that was drifting towards danger with its anchor dragging near an MOD firing range and at risk of running aground made it even more rewarding.
‘This was Chris’s first service call as a crew member and he performed really well. I’ve spent a lot of time training with him, so to see all that hard work and preparation pay off during a live shout was fantastic. Chris handled himself with real confidence and it was great to see. Well done Chris’.
RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew Chris Nicholls said: ‘My first shout was a mix of nerves and excitement after a year of training. But once we were on the water, the focus kicked in and the nervousness disappeared. The crew Tyler, Daryl and Graeme were brilliant, supportive, calm, and professional, and it really showed what being part of the RNLI is all about.
‘Passing my tier 1 hovercraft assessment on Sunday made me feel very proud. The support and guidance from Southend RNLI volunteers is amazing, I am proud to be a part of the team and wider RNLI’.
Congratulations Tyler and Chris, this marks significant milestones in their RNLI careers.
For further information please contact:
- Nigel Gilchrist. Lifeboat Press Officer at Southend-on-Sea RNLI [email protected] or 07765875300
- Jess Curtis RNLI Regional Communications Manager – South East, [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
Notes to Editors:
- Southend RNLI is one of the busiest coastal stations across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
- Southend RNLI cover approximately fifteen miles of shore from Shoeburyness to Canvey and beyond.
- For more information, please visit: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/southend-on-sea-lifeboat-station
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.