Brighton RNLI launches twice during busy 24-hour period

The first call came at 9.40pm on Friday evening, when the crew were requested to assist Sussex Police with a shoreline search for a man believed to be near the water.

Due to a lack of confirmed location, the lifeboat was not launched. Instead, the crew remained at immediate readiness at the station while further information was gathered. The individual was later located by police, and the crew were stood down at 10.31pm.

On Saturday afternoon, at 3.10pm, the crew were tasked to a vessel approximately two nautical miles west of Brighton Marina which had suffered engine failure and was drifting.

With difficulties establishing the vessel’s exact location and no response to radio calls, there were concerns for those onboard as the boat drifted towards offshore hazards.

Brighton RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched, located the vessel and successfully towed it back to Brighton Marina, arriving safely at around 5pm.

Later that evening at 8.25pm, the crew were launched to reports of a kayaker in difficulty south of the Meeting Place Café, who was struggling to return to shore in offshore winds.

While the lifeboat was en route, the kayaker managed to make their own way back to safety, and the crew were stood down before arriving on scene.

Brighton lifeboat operations manager Charlie Dannreuther said: 'These incidents show how quickly situations can develop, particularly with offshore winds and equipment failure.

'Our volunteers are always ready to respond, whether that results in a rescue or a precautionary launch.

'We’d remind anyone heading out on the water to check conditions, carry a reliable means of calling for help, and let someone know your plans.'

Brighton RNLI’s volunteer crew is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Lottie Ikonen, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, l[email protected]

Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 488243, [email protected]

Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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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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