Rye Harbour RNLI involved with multi-agency response to a lost child at Camber
On Sunday 5 August HM Coastguard requested the assistance of Rye Harbour’s inshore lifeboat at 2.32pm. In response, the boat was launched at 2.45 with Tony Peters at the helm. A four-year old female was reported missing on Camber Beach which was thronged with people enjoying the sun
The boat headed to Camber beach and Tony Peters said, ‘I took us into safe but close water. At this point the sea was thronged with people enjoying the calm sea. The Rye Harbour boat was joined by the rescue helicopter from Lydd, the Coastguards, Police and RNLI Lifeguards, all with the same intent, to save the life of the missing youngster.’
Crew-member, Sharon Gozna, added, ‘The Coastguards and Lifeguards used loud-hailers to evacuate the people from the sea. I had never seen this before during an operation at Camber but it was really successful, enabling the lifeboat and helicopter to do a thorough sweep of the water. Anyone left would obviously be in distress.’
This was another operation that showed the strength of agencies all working together. An RNLI Lifeguard water rescue craft ran as close to the water’s edge as possible, the helicopter was overhead and the RNLI Lifeboat was able to search the water unimpeded whilst the Police and Coastguards were assisting on the beach. At 3.55 the youngster was found safe and sound on the shore and the lifeboat returned to station.
Tony Peters, Helm said in the de-briefing that he was very impressed with the professionalism and calmness of his crew, Sharon Gozna, Izzy Sharpe and Matt Ellis, during the shout.
During the prolonged hot weather when the public flock to the beach it is very important to make sure that everyone is as safe as possible. The RNLI advises that children are at least risk when supervised. As soon as you get to the beach, it is best to agree a meeting point in case of separation. On RNLI Lifeguard beaches visit the lifeguard hut and they will give you a special wristband to put your contact details on. Always Respect the Water.
RNLI Media contacts
• Kt Bruce, Rye Harbour RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer (07789) 818878 [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
•For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.
Key facts about the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 237 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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 or by email.
The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.
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 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 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.