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Shoreham RNLI called out to multiple rescues during May half‑term heatwave

Lifeboats News Release

Shoreham RNLI’s volunteer crew was kept busy over the half‑term heatwave, launching multiple times to people in difficulty along the Sussex coast, including four teenagers who got into trouble when out on the water.

Two RNLI crew are pictured from the back as they approach a pontoon on the River Adur. The casualty is not visible.

Shoreham RNLI

Shoreham RNLI rescue teenager stranded on pontoon
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A teenage boy was rescued by Shoreham RNLI's inshore lifeboat after becoming stranded on a pontoon on the River Adur in the afternoon of Friday 22 May. He had walked out to the pontoon with friends after being out bike riding and then become stranded as the tide quickly came in. While his friends jumped off and waded through the water to get back ashore, one teenager did not want to move as he had heard how easy it was to get washed away in the fast-flowing water and did not feel confident in swimming if needed.

Dan Measor, inshore lifeboat helm who led the rescue, said: "The young made the right decision to stay where he was and stay calm on the safety of the pontoon rather than jumping in and possibly getting swept upstream. This allowed the lifeboat crew to come and get him, and we worked together to reassure him and help him onto the boat so we could take him safely to shore."

Three teenage girls were rescued from the sea off Hove lawns in the early evening of Wednesday 27 May as they got into difficulties when paddleboarding. The three girls had gone out together on one paddleboard and had been caught out when the wind changed and they started to drift away from the shore. Another paddleboarder came to try and help them back to shore, but was unable to help them given the conditions. When Shoreham's inshore lifeboat arrived, two girls were in the water and one was on the paddleboard. The crew took all three girls into the lifeboat, where they established that they were fit and well, and took them back to join friends on the shore.

Paul Baker, inshore lifeboat helm for the rescue, said: "We were all very happy to have helped the girls get back to shore, as given that they didn't have any lifejackets or means of communication they could have been in real difficulties. Weather conditions can change really quickly at the coast, so we always encourage people to make sure they take the basics with them: a buoyancy aid and a mobile phone in a dry bag. And make sure you keep an eye on the weather."

Andrew Shiner, Shoreham RNLI's Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: “The warm weather and busy beaches meant a significant increase in calls for our volunteer crews. People can get into difficulty very quickly, whether through tides, offshore winds or unexpected changes in conditions. We’re incredibly proud of how swiftly and professionally our crews responded throughout the week.”

Safety reminder

Shoreham RNLI is reminding everyone visiting the coast to follow key safety advice:
  • Visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags
  • Always take a lifejacket and means of communication when going out kayaking or paddleboarding
  • Keep inflatables for the pool, not the sea
  • Check tide times and weather conditions
  • If you get into difficulty, Float to Live
  • In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
Two RNLI crew are pictured from the back on the inshore lifeboat off of Hove lawns. The casualty is not visible.

Shoreham RNLI

Shoreham RNLI crew heading to rescue off Hove lawns
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RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Liz Zachary, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]

Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 488243, [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.

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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