Both Littlehampton RNLI lifeboats in search for missing person.
The UK Coastguard requested that both lifeboats launch following a report of a distressed adult male in the sea.
Littlehampton’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Renée Sherman and D Class lifeboat Ray of Hope and volunteer crews launched at 7:22pm on Wednesday 21 November and headed out to sea in overcast, windy conditions. No precise location had been provided so the crew of the Atlantic began a search along the West shoreline and the D Class, the East shoreline. During the searches it was reported that the adult male had sent a text message to his wife, which, with the use of phone signal triangulation enabled the phone to be traced. The Atlantic was immediately tasked to return to the River Arun as the phone signal indicated that the male was at Ferry Road. Further tracking information gave River Road Industrial Estate as the next location, followed by Clymping Beach Car Park. Both lifeboats were re-tasked by the local Coastal Rescue Team to divert to Clymping Beach Car Park. During the journey a message was relayed to both lifeboats that the male was ashore and in the custody of the Police. Both lifeboats were stood down and returned to the station at 8.44pm, where they were 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]
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.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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