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Two shouts in one evening for newly qualified helm at Brighton RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

The volunteer crew at Brighton RNLI received two call outs in two hours on Thursday (April 20).

Picture of the crew on the first shout (L-R) Carl Walton, Phil Jones and Rolland Farrar

RNLI

Picture of the crew on the first shout (L-R) Carl Walton, Phil Jones and Rolland Farrar

Newly qualified Phil Jones was on duty having passed out as Helm on Monday evening (April 17).

Brighton’s Atlantic 85 B-class lifeboat Random Harvest was firstly tasked by the Coastguard at 6.50pm to reports of a person in difficulty – possibly paddleboarding or windsurfing - between the Marina and Palace Pier.

A thorough search was carried out by the crew around the area, but nothing was found.

Two hours later at 8.50pm Sussex Police requested help for a person seen entering the water.

Phil, who works as a heating engineer, said: ‘I had just put my 15-month-old son to bed and headed downstairs when the pager went the first time, so I knew I wasn’t going to get my relaxing evening!

‘When I got to the station everyone was so excited it was my first service call with them, they were really happy for me.’

‘Made it home after the shout and had a quick coffee and chat with my partner and within an hour I was out again.

‘I think I’m going to get a name for myself now we’ve had two call outs so close to one another – no one will want to be on the rota with me!’

Deputy Launch Authority David Wheeler said: ‘Although we believe the first call to be a false alarm with good intent, the person did the right thing by calling the Coastguard on 999 when they believed someone was in difficulty in the water.

‘I’d like to thank Phil for his dedication to becoming helm and his calm nature in reacting to two shouts in such a short space of time just four days after qualifying as helm.

‘As always the crew really pulled together on both shouts and gave Phil the support he needed.’

Phil, who lives in Ovingdean, has been volunteering with the RNLI for 13 years, 11 at Hastings as a D-class helm and off-shore coxswain mechanic and two at Brighton.


RNLI media contacts:

For further information please contact

Volunteer lifeboat press officer: 07724801305 [email protected]

Regional media officer: Paul Dunt 07785 296252 [email protected]

Regional media manager: Julie Rainey 07827 358256 [email protected]

Or, for media enquiries, please contact [email protected].


Picture of the crew on the second shout (L-R) Rhiannon Darling, Phil Jones, Ben Hylands and Laura Edwards

RNLI

Picture of the crew on the second shout (L-R) Rhiannon Darling, Phil Jones, Ben Hylands and Laura Edwards

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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