Busy weekend for Eastbourne RNLI

The first tasking of the weekend was for the Tamar class all-weather lifeboat Diamond Jubilee. It was were tasked to assist local coastguard teams and provide cover if needed. Once that tasking was complete, the crew were re-tasked to assist with a search. During the search they were diverted to a medical incident aboard a dive boat.

One of the people on board was feeling unwell and a mayday had been called by the crew aboard the dive boat. Coastguard helicopter Rescue 175 arrived on scene before the Diamond Jubilee, and the dive boat moved away from the area for the safety of divers in the water whilst the casualty was winched aboard. The crew aboard the Diamond Jubilee took over as a safety vessel for the divers as they were in a fairly busy shipping area. Once the dive boat returned to the area, the crew on the all-weather boat were stood down and returned to station.

The final tasking of Saturday 24 June was for the D class inshore lifeboat. The crew were tasked to reports of three kayakers needing assistance off Cooden Beach. Two minutes after launching they were stood down as the kayakers had made their own way to shore.

The final tasking of the weekend was on Sunday 25 June at 4.57pm. Solent Coastguard had received reports of a casualty cut off by the tide between Birling Gap and the Belle Tout lighthouse. Newhaven's all-weather lifeboat was also tasked. The crew on the D class lifeboat made their way to the location and found a casualty who had been attempting to make their from Holywell to Birling Gap. Due to the location of the casualty, the crew could only get close enough to hold in the surf and put a crew member ashore to assist the casualty. As there were only eight feet of beach left at the location, and for the casualty's safety, they were escorted onto the inshore lifeboat and taken back to Eastbourne before being passed to waiting coastguard rescue teams for further care.

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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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.