Littlehampton RNLI launch, following report of a person in the water.

The call from the UK Coastguard reported a person in the water half a mile south of Elmer Rocks and the possibility of an overturned leisure boat. The lifeboat arrived at the advised position, the weather conditions were good, but the crew were unable to locate anyone or an overturned boat. The lifeboat crew commenced a search of the area and spotted a large inflatable, as nothing else was found it was presumed that this is what had been seen from the shore. The lifeboat was stood down at 4:15pm and returned to the station, where it was refuelled and made ready for service. Following the incident, a member of the crew took photographs of the large inflatable which were then sent to the UK Coastguard for information purposes.

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

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