Six shouts for Littlehampton RNLI volunteers over one weekend

Exceptionally warm weather over recent weeks has attracted many people to the coast. RNLI Lifeguards are present at Littlehampton East Beach every day 10am-6pm during the summer and at Bognor Regis weekends and Bank Holidays until 6 September providing reassurance, advice and assistance or rescuing those in need of it.

During and outside of those times Littlehampton lifeboat station also provides cover primarily for the stretch of coast between Worthing and Bognor Regis and the seaward extension.

The first two shouts of the weekend were on Saturday evening 11 July. HM Coastguard requested an immediate launch as two persons were in the water in the vicinity of Littlehampton pier where strong currents can be present and the area is consequently very dangerous to swim in. Whilst preparing to launch news came through from HM Coastguard that one person had been assisted from the water by members of the public and another recovered to safety by the RNLI Lifeguards so the lifeboat crews were stood down.

Later that evening Littlehampton’s D-Class lifeboat Spirit of Fidelity was launched to assist three persons in an inflatable kayak in potential difficulty off from Littlehampton East Beach. A moderate Force 3-4 north easterly offshore wind was blowing and in such circumstances inflatables are easily swept out to sea. Whilst undertaking a search for the kayak the lifeboat crew spotted an inflatable just going ashore on the beach and confirmed that this was the reported craft.

Sunday 12 July was a breezier day, again with prevailing offshore winds of strength Force 5-6. At 4.30pm HM Coastguard requested lifeboat assistance for two persons on an inflatable who had called for assistance as they were unable to reach shore due to the strong winds to the south of Bognor Regis. D-Class lifeboat Spirit of Fidelity was launched and located crafts in the vicinity of the incident, but these were not in need of assistance. The casualties that had requested help had by now made it ashore with the support of others. Whilst returning to the station the lifeboat crew were re-tasked to a paddle boarder having difficulty returning to shore against the strong winds, again in the Bognor Regis area. There was no sign of the paddle boarder at the reported location and it was then confirmed that they had been recovered to shore by a boat from Bognor Regis Yacht Club. The crew of Spirit of Fidelity then headed back to Littlehampton.

The next two shouts involved Littlehampton’s B-Class lifeboat Renee Sherman. At around 6.30pm HM Coastguard requested assistance be provided to an inflatable kayak approximately a quarter of a mile south of Worthing pier. On arrival at the scene there was no sign of the craft so one of the lifeboat crew went ashore to see if a vessel matching the description had made it to the beach. The inflatable was located and had been carefully stowed ashore so with no other persons in the vicinity of the original report the lifeboat crew were stood down. Following the lifeboat recovery from the water on the RNLI station slipway at Fisherman’s Quay another shout came in for the volunteers, the sixth of the weekend. A yacht under sail to Littlehampton had suffered engine failure and with northerly winds of Force 6 or more and an incoming tide sailing into the harbour was not a safe or viable option. Transferring the casualty vessel crew to the lifeboat was also risky due to the high winds and choppy seas; hence the disabled yacht was assisted into harbour by the lifeboat and transferred to the visitor moorings on the east bank.

Nick White, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Littlehampton Lifeboat Station and Launch Authority for the Sunday­ incidents said: ‘It has been a very busy weekend for our shore and lifeboat volunteer crews and I thank them all for the many hours that they have spent over these two days answering the call to assist those in distress at sea. Including the regular morning training session the Littlehampton volunteers were at the station or at sea for nine hours on Sunday. Offshore winds are particularly problematic for those using inflatable craft such as kayaks and paddle boards as they are quickly blown away from the shoreline and it is difficult to make headway against the winds back to the safety of shore. Understanding the wind and tide conditions before heading out to sea on any vessel is highly recommended, as well as having a buoyancy aid or lifejacket and a means of communication in case you need to call for help. If you are in difficulty on the water or you see a person or animal in distress in the river Arun or in the sea call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

ENDS

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Anthony Fogg, Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI, Mob: 07823 509032, email: [email protected]

Sam Haddad, Regional Communications Manager South East RNLI Tel: 01273 514143, email: [email protected]

Stella Sims, Regional Communications Manager South East RNLI Tel: 01273 514143, email: [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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