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Shoreham RNLI rescues woman from water near Worthing Pier

Lifeboats News Release

Shoreham RNLI's inshore lifeboat launched on Saturday 3 January for its first shout of 2026 to help a woman in the water near Worthing Pier.

Crew member learning over side of d-class to pull casualty into boat.

RNLI/Shoreham RNLI

Shoreham RNLI rescue casualty from water
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At just after 1pm, Shoreham RNLI's volunteer crew took to the water in its D-Class inshore lifeboat, the Joan Woodland, to go to the aid of a woman in the water at Worthing.

Following an immediate request to launch from HM Coastguard, the lifeboat was on its way within minutes. The crew kept in touch with HM Coastguard over the radio, and a police officer at the end of the pier helped direct the lifeboat quickly to where the casualty had drifted out. They pulled the woman into the lifeboat and took her straight to the beach, where paramedics and other emergency services were waiting.

Adam Cairns, inshore lifeboat helm said: "Although the sea conditions today were calm and we had good visibility, the northerly winds meant that air temperatures were near freezing, combined with the low sea temperature. With the amount of time the casualty had spent in the water, they were very cold. With some excellent inter-agency working with our partners from Sussex Police, HM Coastguard rescue teams and SECAmb, we were able to quickly locate the casualty once on scene, protect them from deteriorating further and transfer them to clinical care with the support of the teams on the beach."

Colin Scott, Shoreham RNLI Launch Authority, said: "Shoreham RNLI's volunteer crew acted promptly and effectively for this rescue, which was our first shout of 2026. We wish the casualty all the best as she recovers from what must have been a traumatic ordeal."

The RNLI reminds everyone that if you find yourself in the water and unable to swim to safety, the best thing you can do is Float to Live:
  • Tilt your head back, submerging your ears.
  • Relax and control your breathing.
  • Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat.
  • Your legs may sink - that's OK everyone floats differently.
Find out more at: https://rnli.org/safety/float

Notes to editors:

Shoreham Harbour RNLI has been saving lives at sea since 1865. Home to a Tamar class all-weather lifeboat, the Enid Collett, and a D class inshore lifeboat, the Joan Woodland, the crew respond to, on average, 80 to 90 shouts a year, covering an area from Brighton Marina to Worthing Pier. The station is run by around 100 volunteers who include a lifeboat operations manager, launch authorities, boat and shore crew, an administrative officer, press officers, fundraisers, shop staff, a visits team, and water safety advisers.

Contact details:

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Liz Zachary, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, 0777 381 0857, [email protected]

or Jessica Curtis, Regional Communications Manager, 07483 488243, [email protected]

Two d-class crew members looking for casualty in the water.

RNLI/Shoreham RNLI

Shoreham RNLI crew on way to casualty in water
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View from front of d-class as it makes its way towards casualty.

RNLI/Shoreham RNLI

Shoreham RNLI looking for casualty in water
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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.

About the author

Liz Zachary
Lifeboat Press Officer, Shoreham Harbour

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