Littlehampton RNLI’s lifeboats in joint sea search
Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station’s two lifeboats conducted an extensive search in the Rustington area yesterday evening (7 August), following reports of a kite seen without a kiteboarder.
The volunteer crew were tasked by HM Coastguard at 8.29pm to search for a possible casualty in the water after a member of the public reported they had seen the kite about a mile off the coast of Rustington. The crew of Littlehampton RNLI’s Renee Sherman lifeboat headed to the area and started a search in an easterly direction from Rustington to Kingston Gorse. An hour later, with darkness falling and winds strengthening to force 6 (22-27 knots), Littlehampton RNLI’s Ray of Hope lifeboat was launched to join a widened search area stretching east to Worthing Sailing Club.
At 10.20pm, Renee Sherman returned to the lifeboat station for a crew change, but at 10.40pm, both lifeboats were stood down after HM Coastguard concluded that the area had been comprehensively searched. The crew of Renee Sherman returned to the area to escort Ray of Hope back to the lifeboat station, with both boats arriving at 11.25pm.
Nick White, Littlehampton RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘This was a long search in worsening conditions for our crew, but we always ready to save lives at sea. Please remember, if you see someone in difficulties at sea, or – just like the member of the public did tonight – see something you don’t think is right, please call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
ENDS
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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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