Littlehampton RNLI in search for missing swimmer

The crew were tasked by HM Coastguard at 4.38pm and arrived on the scene in their lifeboat Renee Sherman at 4.52pm. A swimmer had been seen entering the water by the RNLI lifeguard team on duty on Bognor Regis beach, but had not been seen returning to shore.

Together with Selsey RNLI, Littlehampton RNLI searched along the coast from Barn Rocks to Pagham Yacht Club. After an extensive search and no swimmer found, the search ended at 6.04pm and Littlehampton RNLI's crew returned to their lifeboat station in Littlehampton Harbour at 6.32pm.

Nick White, Littlehampton RNLI's Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: 'RNLI Lifeboats and RNLI Lifeguards work very closely to save lives at sea, as was the case in this search. This was the first weekend of the 2021 season that lifeguards were on duty at both Bognor Regis and Littlehampton beaches and we look forward to working closely with them throughout 2021.'

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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