Brighton RNLI responds to two fog-related shouts in one day

The volunteer crew launched at 10.13am following a report of a lone female paddleboarder near King’s Esplanade who had disappeared into fog and not been seen for over 15 minutes.

An onlooker raised the alarm after losing sight of the paddleboarder, who was not believed to be wearing a life jacket.

With visibility extremely limited, the lifeboat launched and used onboard radar to navigate safely. The paddleboarder was later located ashore and safe, and the crew were stood down.

A second call came in at 2.45pm – this time a missing spear fisherman reported by a fellow diver east of Brighton Palace Pier. The diver had not resurfaced since 2.25pm and there were fears for his safety due to the poor visibility and the presence of jet skis in the area.

The lifeboat was preparing to launch when it was confirmed the missing diver had been found safe and well, sitting on a ledge beneath the pier. He, too, had raised concerns about the behaviour of nearby jet skis in low-visibility conditions.

New lifeboat operations manager Charlie Dannreuther said: 'Fog can make the sea incredibly disorientating – both for those in the water and those trying to spot them from shore. We're relieved both people were found safe, but these calls show how important it is to check the forecast and be fully prepared before heading out.'

The RNLI is reminding people of its safety advice for foggy conditions:

• Avoid going out in poor visibility – check the forecast and tide times before heading to the coast.

• Always wear a suitable flotation device, such as a life jacket or buoyancy aid.

• Carry a means of calling for help, such as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch or a VHF radio.

• Tell someone your plans and expected return time.

• If in doubt, don’t go out. Conditions can change quickly at sea.

The RNLI is also currently looking for new volunteer crew members to join the team at Brighton Lifeboat Station.

No previous maritime experience is required – full training is provided. If you're over 17, live or work near the station, and want to make a difference in your community, find out more at: https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/ilb-crew---brighton-581365.html

For more information on how to stay safe near the water, visit rnli.org/safety.

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.