Five Callouts in One Day for Shoreham RNLI Volunteers

Having already responded to four separate incidents along the coastline on Tuesday 23 June and Wednesday 24 June, Shoreham RNLI’s volunteer crews faced an even busier day on Thursday 25 June, when they were launched a further five times.

Service 1:

Shoreham RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was launched to reports of a kite surfer in difficulty off Lancing beach. The volunteer crew were stood down on route as it was confirmed that the kite surfer was safe and did not require assistance. The incident was classified as a call of good intent.

Service 2:

Shortly afterwards, Shoreham RNLI’s inshore lifeboat and Tamar class all weather lifeboat were paged at the same time. The inshore lifeboat was tasked to reports of several paddleboarders in difficulty off Worthing. However, upon arrival, the volunteer crew found that all those involved were safe and well, and no assistance was required.

Service 3:

Following this incident, the all weather lifeboat was then re-tasked to the report of two teenagers on a paddleboard in difficulty off Goring. On arrival, Shoreham RNLI’s volunteer crew located the pair after they had been swept offshore. A third casualty was also found in the water, having entered the sea in an attempt to assist them. All three of the casualties were taken onto the all weather lifeboat, where they were medically checked over.

Service 4:

Shoreham’s inshore lifeboat was launched once again following the report of a person in a life ring in the water at Hove. The all-weather lifeboat, which was already returning to the station after the incident at Goring, was diverted to assist. After conducting an extensive search of the area, the crews found no sign of anyone in difficulty, locating only marker buoys in the water. With no casualties identified, both lifeboats were stood down and returned to station.

Service 5:

The final callout, launched Shoreham’s inshore lifeboat as they launched to the report of a person in distress at Worthing Pier. The casualty was located by the volunteer crew and the local coastguard team, where the casualty was transferred onto the inshore lifeboat and taken ashore into the care of the emergency services.

Shoreham RNLI’s all weather lifeboat coxswain, Simon Williams, said: ‘It was an exceptionally busy day particularly during the evening and night for our crews due to the high temperatures and sheer number of people on the water.’

‘We rescued four people from the water in three hours. If you’re going afloat, please check the weather forecast and tide times in advance, tell someone when and where you’re going and when you expect to be back and make sure to take a means of calling for help, such as a mobile phone.’

The RNLI is urging anyone visiting the coast this summer to make sure they keep themselves and their families safe by being water smart and following their beach safety advice.  

• Visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.  

• Check the weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage to understand local risks.  

• For activities like paddleboarding or kayaking we recommend you wear a wetsuit, buoyancy aid or lifejacket and carry a means of calling for help in a waterproof pouch and keep it on you. Tell someone what you are doing, where you are going and when you expect to return.  

• If you are going open water swimming, use a wetsuit to keep you warm, wear a bright coloured swim hat and take a tow float to store personal items including a phone for emergencies.  

• If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and Float.  

• In an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.  

Notes to editors

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Kate Barkley, RNLI Communications Staff Member for RNLI, [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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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