Littlestone Lifeboat Station

21/06/2026

13/06/2026

As we head into a period of lovely warm weather, please be careful when going in or on the water. Remember it can be colder than you think.

If you are visiting the coast this weekend, the safest option is a lifeguarded beach, where you should swim between the red and yellow flags. If you can’t choose a lifeguarded beach, find out about your chosen beach before you visit – check weather and tide times and read local safety signage.

‘By remembering this advice and sharing it widely, we can all play a role in helping to save more lives from drowning.’

RNLI’s water safety advice:

If you find yourself in trouble in the water, the RNLI’s safety advice is Float to Live:

Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
Relax and try to breathe normally
Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat
It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.’
If you see someone else in trouble in the water, remember Phone, Float, Throw:

Phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard to get help.
Tell the struggling person to Float to Live.
Throw them something that floats, such as a life ring.

https://youtu.be/dxRx80DSIfU

28/05/2026

The events team next event, join us for a day at the races, dress up or not, at Lydd Golf Club, 27th June tickets from the lifeboat station shop open most days, see poster for full details.

26/05/2026

Over the course of three days, Littlestone RNLI volunteer crews have responded to four separate incidents from paddleboarders to swimmers - with each shout showing just how vital it is to have a means of calling for help at sea.

On Sunday we responded to a tasking from HM Coastguard to two swimmers off Sandgate. On Monday we were tasked to two swimmers reported as in difficulty off Dymchurch . On Tuesday we were first tasked to two teenage paddleboarders off Hythe and then a swimmer off Folkestone. All shouts were resolved safely.

John Kenny, volunteer station manager at Littlestone said " Firstly, I want to thank our dedicated, professional team of volunteer crew members. We have a great group of shore and boat crew who have trained hard to be able to respond when an emergency happens off our shoreline.
Secondly, I'd like to remind visitors to our Romney coastline that the water is still cold even if the air temperature is high. Be careful when you go in the water. Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back. If you are enjoying a water based activity,wear a life jacket and take a phone in a waterproof bag so you can call 999 and ask for help in an emergency. We want you to enjoy our lovely beaches and stay safe!"

If you'd like to help our charity save lives at sea, please get in touch. Have a look at available volunteer roles at Littlestone via the link below:

https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer/volunteering-opportunities?fbclid=IwY2xjawSC3OlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR5y8rIhuIPJ4stbU5jCH_4ks6-XBrE_Fr70N9nEgdaXIpPsR7oiQ1jXENc_SA_aem_HzAsAsM90xBr9I0p4o5Cvg

25/05/2026

Busy day for Littlestone RNLI

Sunday the 24th May was a busy day for the volunteers at Littlestone RNLI. We launched the charity lifeboat Jean McIvor just after 9am on a planned exercise. When the boat returned to base we had a visit from the Ham Street & Orlestone Women's Institute who kindly presented us with a cheque for £280. The RNLI is funded by the kindness of the public and every donation helps towards saving lives at sea.

Having washed the boat down and refueled ready for service, our volunteer crew were enjoying the sunshine when the pager went off at 14:25. We launched approximately 12 minutes later to a report of two swimmers in difficulty off Sandgate. Our Atlantic 85 lifeboat made best speed across the bay and was then informed by HM Coastguard that the swimmers had made it to shore. We were asked to continue to the scene to provide medical assistance if required. Thankfully both swimmers were OK and our lifeboat returned to station for its second wash down and refueling of the day.

If you see someone else in trouble in the water, remember Phone, Float, Throw:
Phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard to get help.
Tell the struggling person to Float to Live.
Throw them something that floats, such as a life ring.

See our Float to Live video and suggestions in the post below.

The RNLI recommends checking online to Find Your Nearest Lifeguarded Beach. This year, the RNLI’s lifeguard service is celebrating 25 years of keeping beaches safer.

Sunrise photo courtesy of Spencer Rolfe. He was on station replenishing our fuel reserves- important to ensure we are able to respond and sometimes stay out for up to 4:hours at a time. Thanks Spencer!

19/05/2026

As we head into better weather later this week, remember this if you venture out on or in the water:

Float to Live could save your life.

Remember:
- Tilt your head back with ears submerged
- Relax and try to control your breathing
- Use your hands to help you stay afloat
- It's okay if your legs sink, we all float differently

Practice these steps at a supervised location, like a swimming pool or lifeguarded beach so you know what to do in an emergency.

If you see someone else struggling in water:
• Phone 999 to get help
• Tell them to stay calm and float on their back
• Throw rescue equipment to help them float until emergency services arrive

18/05/2026

Sunday 17 May saw Littlestone RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat hold a joint exercise with Dungeness RNLI’s Shannon Class all weather charity lifeboat just off Dungeness Point.

Littlestone’s helm Ryan Wicken said ‘When tasked to jobs off the Romney Coastline we’re in a fortunate position that our flanking station Dungeness has an all weather boat that offers significant operational flexibility.’

‘I would like to thank the team at Dungeness for helping the development of our crew today. We are neighbouring stations and work with each another on service calls. Joint training like this enables us to be prepared for emergencies at sea when they inevitably come.'

If you would like to know more about volunteering at either Littlestone or Dungeness RNLI, please take a look at the opportunities available on the RNLI website linked below:

https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer/volunteering-opportunities

15/05/2026

Romney Retros raise over £3000 for Littlestone RNLI

On Thursday 7th May Romney Retros Car Group visited the volunteers of Littlestone RNLI charity lifeboat station at the start of a fundraising trip to Holland. The group brought an eclectic mix of retro cars and a vintage police motorbike which lined up Infront of the Jean McIvor lifeboat for photos.

Over a dozen cars from the 1960s onwards, began their journey on a club event to Holland by visiting Littlestone. Our guests were welcomed by a group of Littlestone RNLI volunteers who had specially pushed the lifeboat out to greet the car club members.

https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2026/may/14/romney-retros-car-run-raises-over-3000-for-littlestone-lifeboat-station

13/05/2026

https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2026/may/10/littlestone-rnli-welcome-new-mascots-at-fun-dog-show

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 I...