First shout for Littlestone RNLI volunteer

Our volunteer crew were tasked to the area off Hythe at 0005 am on Sunday 7 December. Their role was to provide safety cover to a multi agency response dealing with an incident involving a person in distress near the shoreline.

Approaching with caution, the Littlestone RNLI charity lifeboat arrived on scene at 0013 am and stood by to provide assistance to the HM Coastguard Rescue Teams and helicopter that were also in attendance. Thankfully the situation was soon under control and the person was confirmed to be in safe hands.

For new boat crew volunteer Mihaela Simeonova, this was her first afloat shout and she carried out her duties in an exemplary manner.

Peter Leigh, helm of the lifeboat, said: 'This was a challenging night shout with limited visibity and lots of hazards such as rock groynes to contend with. Mihaela was in charge of illuminating the shoreline using our new LED spotlight and she did a great job. It looked like she'd been doing this for years.'

Once the casualty was safe, the RNLI charity Lifeboat Jean McIvor was stood down and returned to station shortly before 1am where she was washed down, refueled and made ready for service by our volunteer crew.

As we look ahead to Christmas, our volunteer crews are ready to leave their family plans and answer the call for help- even on Christmas Day. To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal visit: rnli.org/WinterAppeal RNLI volunteers will give their Christmas time to save someone else.

If you'd like to join us at Littlestone and help save lives at sea, please get in touch via. [email protected]'

Notes to editors

There have been RNLI lifeboats stationed on the Romney Marsh coastline since 1826. Littlestone operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat named Jean McIvor.

To find out more about Littlestone lifeboat station go to
https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/littlestone-on-sea-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

John Kenny Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlestone Lifeboat Station on 07747-033443 [email protected] or Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 07827 358256 [email protected] or Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (London/East/South East) on 07483 488243 [email protected]

For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 or press [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.