Dolphins join Littlehampton RNLI volunteers during training exercise

A routine training exercise turned into a bucket-list moment for the volunteer crew of Littlehampton RNLI on the evening of Thursday 9 July.

Helm Andy Harris and crew Sophie Collins, Ian Kirkham and Mark Jordan were on their regular Thursday evening training exercise off the coast of Littlehampton when they spotted dolphins ahead. Keeping a slow and steady course, their Renee Sherman lifeboat was suddenly surrounded by dolphins. The inquisitive pod, which included a mother and calf, stayed with the crew for about 10 minutes, leaping out of the calm sea and playing in the lifeboat's wake.

Sophie Collins, who joined Littlehampton RNLI in August 2024 and recently passed out as crew, said: "It was literally the best day of my life. It was such a peaceful sight and the perfect way to end our evening training session."

Andy Harris, who was at the helm and has volunteered with Littlehampton RNLI since 1996, said: "It's one of those sights you never get tired of seeing. We saw them ahead, then we saw another group coming up behind us. They came to have a look at us and were jumping clear out of the water. They followed us for some of the way home, too."

Crew member Ian Kirkham added: "It was superb to watch how they effortlessly rode our bow wave and the boat's wake. I had to remember to keep a lookout as well as watch the dolphins!"

Littlehampton RNLI is manned entirely by volunteers, who save lives at sea along the West Sussex coast between Worthing and Bognor Regis. The crew train every Thursday evening and Sunday morning and were called into action 77 times in 2025.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Beth Brooks, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Littlehampton RNLI, [email protected]

Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [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.

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