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Heatwave sparks busy weekend for Littlehampton RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

The volunteer crew of Littlehampton RNLI were called into action five times over the weekend as thousands of people flocked to the West Sussex coast to enjoy the ongoing heatwave.

Littlehampton RNLI’s Renee Sherman lifeboat

RNLI/Beth Brooks

Littlehampton RNLI’s Renee Sherman lifeboat
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Rising temperatures meant a bumper weekend for the station’s lifeboats Renee Sherman and Ray of Hope, with ‘shouts’ ranging from helping swimmers in difficulty, to towing vessels that had experienced engine failure.

The shouts were:

• On Sunday 17 July at 5.46pm, Littlehampton RNLI were tasked by HM Coastguard following reports of a swimmer calling for help east of Littlehampton Harbour entrance. Littlehampton RNLI’s Renee Sherman lifeboat conducted a search of the area but was unable to locate anyone in distress. The lifeboat was stood down 30 minutes later after the Coastguard advised that the swimmer had reached Littlehampton West Beach.
• On Saturday 16 July at 7.50pm, HM Coastguard tasked Littlehampton RNLI to assist a broken down jet ski close to the entrance of Littlehampton Harbour. Because it was low tide, our volunteer crew on Ray of Hope waded out to the jet skier, who was experiencing back pain, and assisted the male casualty to an onshore Coastguard Rescue Team. Our volunteer crew then towed the jet ski to the safety of Littlehampton Marina.
• Earlier that afternoon, Littlehampton RNLI’s Renee Sherman lifeboat was launched to help a male casualty with sunstroke on Elmer Beach. When our volunteer crew arrived on the scene, the casualty was on Elmer Rocks. The crew provided treatment for sunstroke, dehydration, stomach cramps and nausea, before assisting the casualty to an awaiting onshore Coastguard Rescue Team.
• On Friday 15 July, at 5.35pm, Littlehampton RNLI’s two lifeboats assisted a jet ski and speedboat with engine trouble 50 metres east of the entrance to Littlehampton Harbour. The volunteer crews on both lifeboats assisted the four casualties and two vessels, returning everyone to the safety of Littlehampton Harbour.
• During the above shout, Littlehampton RNLI’s Ray of Hope lifeboat was hailed by two swimmers in need of assistance. The volunteer crew took the swimmers ashore.

Nick White, Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘The weather is absolutely glorious, but we want to remind everyone to stay safe at the coast. During this ongoing heatwave, the sea and the river look especially inviting, but it’s important to know the risks, whatever your experience or ability. The water is still cold, and the River Arun is one of the fastest flowing rivers in the UK.

‘If you are planning on going to the beach, we would encourage you to visit a lifeguarded beach and to swim between the red and yellow flags. If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live – lean back, use your arms and legs to stay afloat, control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety. If you’re heading out on the water, check and double check that your vessel is safe, secure and seaworthy. In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

For more water safety advice, see https://rnli.org/safety

Littlehampton RNLI’s volunteer crew look after the stretch of the West Sussex coast between Bognor Regis and Worthing, and is independent from the Coastguard. To find out more about Littlehampton RNLI, see https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2022/april/27/10-facts-about-littlehampton-rnli-lifeboat-station

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

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.

About the author

Beth Brooks
Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton Lifeboat Station

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