Southend RNLI launched 15 times as record heatwaves bring thousands to the coast

As temperatures soared thousands of people flocked to the Southend coastline to enjoy the sunshine. The sheer volume of visitors combined with challenging coastal hazards led to a very busy weekend for the RNLI lifeboat crew. Over the course of the long weekend volunteers responded to several back-to-back emergency calls, ultimately bringing 14 people to safety.

The range of incidents highlighted the varied dangers of the local coastline, with crews tasked to beachgoers trapped by the rapidly rising Essex tide, individuals stuck in the mud, people getting into difficulty while swimming and trying to cool off in the water and searches for missing people. Inshore rescue hovercraft H-004 Vera Ravine bringing four people to safety while inshore lifeboat D-904 Sue Sorotos bringing 10 people to the safety of shore.

The Southend RNLI volunteers were delighted to hear news from lifeboat helm Jonathan Charnock that one of the casualties rescued on Sunday afternoon had used the Float to Live method to survive while the lifeboat was on its way.

Jonathan Charnock RNLI volunteer Helm/Commander said: ‘Hot weather and clear skies naturally brought many people down to the beaches of Southend. With most enjoying the benefits of the sea, it proved to be a busy weekend for the crew of Southend RNLI lifeboat.

‘Working with our joint services partners I’m proud of the efforts our hovercraft & boat crew, our shore crew launching and recovering the assets and providing first aid and the pan emergency service responses.

‘To see a girl using the Float to Live method as we approached on the lifeboat was great, she saved her own life by floating, something to be very proud of, a brave girl.

’In total 14 people were rescued over the weekend, to return all to the shore and for them to be able to get home safely, a day at the seaside could have had a very different outcome without the efforts of the Southend-on-Sea RNLI lifeboat station volunteers and fellow blue light agencies.’

While the vast majority of the public enjoyed the coast safely, Southend RNLI are issuing an urgent safety plea following a few dangerous incidents during emergency launches. On multiple occasions, members of the public entered the designated lifeboat launch zone while crews were attempting to launch.

This forced the volunteer crew to halt operations entirely until the area could be cleared, risking precious time.

Southend RNLI launching authority said: ‘When the pagers go off, our crews are racing against time, we encountered people climbing the gates into the launch zone this weekend, which immediately compromises safety and delays our response.

‘We would like to remind everyone that when a lifeboat is launching, every single second counts. Please keep clear of the launch zone, when the gates are closed the area must be kept clear for the crew to launch as quickly as possible.’

The exceptional weekend required a seamless, coordinated effort across emergency services. Southend RNLI would like to extend its sincere thanks to the local HM Coastguard rescue teams, the East of England Ambulance Service, and Essex Police for their vital collaboration and tireless efforts throughout the holiday weekend.

With summer approaching, the RNLI urges anyone visiting the coast to check tide times, check the weather forecast, and always swim at a lifeguarded beach. If you walk on the tidal areas, wear suitable footwear, tell someone where you are going and when you will be back, make sure you know the low tide time and walk towards shore before low tide to give plenty of time to reach safety, finally, take a mobile phone in a waterproof case.

If you see someone in trouble in the water, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

If you get into trouble in the water, Float To Live. https://rnli.org/safety/float

How to float:

· The best way to float is to tilt your head back with your ears submerged.

· Try to relax and breathe normally. You can gently move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if you need to.

· Spread your arms and legs out to improve stability – and it's OK if your legs sink, we all float differently.

· Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.

· Practise floating in a supervised location like a swimming pool.

For further information please contact:

• Nigel Gilchrist. Lifeboat Press Officer at Southend-on-Sea RNLI [email protected] or 07765875300
• Jess Curtis RNLI Regional Communications Manager – South East, [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Notes to Editors:

• Southend RNLI is one of the busiest coastal stations across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
• Southend RNLI cover approximately fifteen miles of shore from Shoeburyness to Canvey and beyond.
• For more information, please visit: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/southend-on-sea-lifeboat-station

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Nigel Gilchrist, 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.