Three shouts in four hours for Littlehampton RNLI
Sweltering temperatures kept the volunteer crew of Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station busy on Friday (7 August), with three shouts in the space of just four hours.
The first shout came at 12.10pm when the lifeboat station’s Renee Sherman lifeboat responded to a mayday call from a vessel on fire near Climping beach.
On reaching the vessel, the fire appeared to have been extinguished, but Renee Sherman towed the boat to the visitor mooring at Town Quay in Littlehampton Harbour so that the fire service could assess the situation. When everything was declared safe, Littlehampton RNLI towed the vessel back to its mooring in the harbour.
The volunteer crew returned to the lifeboat station at 1.20pm, but were back in action just two hours later when they were called to assist a broken down jet ski off Littlehampton's West Beach. The jet ski was still able to move, albeit very slowly. However, while plans were being made for Renee Sherman to tow the jet ski back to Littlehampton Harbour, HM Coastguard asked Littlehampton RNLI to investigate reports of a person heading into deep water just off Climping beach.
A coastline search commenced, but, thankfully, it was confirmed that the missing person was back on dry land safe and well. The crew returned to the jet ski, but it had been able to reach Littlehampton Harbour on its own.
Nick White, Littlehampton RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘With so many people taking advantage of the hot weather and enjoying Littlehampton’s beaches and sea today, it’s no surprise that we had a busy day. We have been called into action more than 40 times since the start of 2020 and are always ready, 24/7, to save lives at sea.’
ENDS
RNLI media contacts
Beth Brooks, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI 07544 209256 [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
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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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