In at the deep end for Littlestone RNLI volunteer’s first shout

Littlestone's RNLI B Class Atlantic 85 lifeboat Jean McIvor was launched just after 6pm on an exercise that would complete Ben's initial boat crew training. Ben, who joined the crew in August 2025 has been a fantastic example of what commitment and volunteering looks like when combined with the RNLI'S extensive training. In under a year Ben has gone from a novice shore crew member to a boat crew member capable of helping save lives at sea.

When the exercise had ended and the lifeboat was being refuelled and made ready for service by the volunteer crew, the pager went off and the lifeboat was tasked to a multi-agency emergency off Mermaid Beach, near the Folkestone Harbour Arm. Ben's first shout was to a scene where multiple people were in the water, Coastguards and South East Coast Ambulance Service crew were on the shore, the Dover RNLI all weather lifeboat was on scene and HM Coastguard helicopter was hovering overhead.

The emergency involved eight casualties with a capsized jet ski, casualties in the water and several members of the public who had entered the water to help. All four Littlestone RNLI lifeboat crew members were Casualty Care trained and the decision was made to land two crew members to help with the care of the casualties when they had been brought to shore. Trainee helm Iain Anderson expertly nosed the boat onto the beach under the experienced eye of Peter Leigh, who has been an RNLI volunteer for 37 years. Ben and Mark Owen landed on the beach and began helping with the casualties, two of whom were taken to hospital. When the situation was more settled, Ben completed the handover to the land based emergency services. Quite an achievement for his first shout!

Ben said 'The feeling of launching on my first real shout was exciting. We do so much training at the RNLI to prepare us for any situation, but the first time it’s for real your adrenaline is pumping. To see the helicopter overhead, the Dover lifeboat nearby and the emergency services on the beach was quite a lot to take in but the training just kicked in and we all got on with it’. The lifeboat returned to the station after being stood down by the Coastguard and the crew went home around midnight, having washed the boat down, refuelled it and completed the de-briefing.

The crew were tasked again just after 1130am on Thursday to a paddleboarder off Hythe, reported to be calling for help. By the time the lifeboat reached the scene the casualty had self recovered to the beach. On heading back towards our station, the lifeboat picked up a stranded wing foiler who had been becalmed a long way out at sea. Having brought the wing foiler to shore, the charity lifeboat was stood down by HM Coastguard and returned to station. Following wash down and refuelling the crew left the station at around 2pm only to be paged again just before 5.30pm - the 4th tasking in under 24 hours.

The tasking was to a windsurfer struggling in the water off Sandgate, having spent the day working on a building site, Ben responded to the pager and helped launch the lifeboat. The crew made best speed to the coast off Sandgate and proceeded to make a search of the area. During the search, the safety boat from the local sailing club came out and informed the lifeboat crew that they had picked up a windsurfer before we arrived. After a careful sweep of the area the lifeboat was stood down by HM Coastguard and returned to Littlestone. Ben was again amongst the shore crew who helped wash and refuel the lifeboat - quite a 24 hour marathon for Ben and all our fantastic RNLI volunteer family at Littlestone.

If you ever spot anyone in difficulty at the coast, or find yourself in trouble – call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Spencer Rolfe, Duty Launch Authority for Ben's first shout said 'Even on the hottest days, the water can still be dangerously cold. Entering cold water unexpectedly can cause cold water shock, which affects your breathing and ability to swim, even if you are an experienced swimmer. If you think someone is in trouble in the water, always call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. We'd much rather launch and find everything is Okay than risk someone not getting help when they genuinely need it. You will never be criticised for raising the alarm if you are concerned about someone's safety.'

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Clinton Marshall, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Littlestone RNLI, [email protected]

John Kenny, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Littlestone 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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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