Four lifeboats enthrall crowds at the Littlehampton Waterfront Festival

Heavy rain early on soon cleared to reveal a bright and breezy day which brought hundreds of visitors to the RNLI boathouse at Fisherman’s Quay. The station’s Atlantic 85 Class lifeboats Renee Sherman and D class Ray of Hope performed a simulated rescue display in the harbour with one of the RNLI volunteer crew members acting as a casualty in the water. He was swiftly brought back on board and the two inshore lifeboats then escorted visiting vessels from the RNLI stations of Selsey and Shoreham through the harbour entrance.

Crowds gathered to see the Shoreham Tamar Class Enid Collett and Selsey Shannon Class Denise and Eric manoeuvre to moor up at the harbour pontoon, and a steady stream of enthusiastic members of the public were able to tour the vessels which are entirely funded by donations to the RNLI charity.

At the boat house, volunteers were on hand to discuss the history of the station, allowing people to get close up to Littlehampton’s inshore lifeboats and view an excellent display of models past and present.

Nick White, Littlehampton RNLI’s volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘The sight of our two inshore lifeboats escorting the Shoreham and Selsey all-weather lifeboats in to Littlehampton Harbour is always impressive. It was a great opportunity for the volunteer crews to meet up and show the public how their generous donations to the RNLI charity funds vessels dedicated to saving lives at sea.’

ENDS

RNLI media contacts

Anthony Fogg, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI 07823 509032 [email protected]

Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, London and South East 07785 296252 [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 over 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 142,700 lives.

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.