UK Coastguard request Littlehampton RNLI immediate readiness to launch.

The request was received at 7:05pm on Wednesday 12 September, the stations D Class Ray of Hope and volunteer crew were ready to launch seven minutes later. The Police and Ambulance Service were positioned near the scene but had not made an approach to the casualty. Following a conversation with the UK Coastguard it was agreed that the lifeboat should launch, taking up a position close to the reported location, but not in view of the casualty. Arriving at the scene the lifeboat crew were advised via a VHF radio call from the UK Coastguard that the casualty was safely in the custody of the Police. The lifeboat was stood down and returned to the station at 8:50pm, where it was 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]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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.