RNLI Eastbourne

30/08/2026

This morning our crews launched both of our lifeboats for an exercise involving three casualties in the water, all unconscious and not breathing.

All three casualties were recovered using the A-frame, simulated with Dead Fred, before our casualty care trained crew carried out an assessment and performed CPR on all three at the same time. The exercise continued for around 45 minutes, giving the crew the chance to practise working together while dealing with multiple casualties.

Our casualty care training covers much more than CPR. Crew are trained to deal incidents involving serious bleeding, fractures, burns, unconscious casualties, airway problems, cold-water injuries, cardiac emergencies and child birth. We can also administer certain emergency medicines when required and in line with our training and RNLI procedures.

Exercises like this give us the opportunity to practise these skills in a realistic situation, making sure we're ready to provide care from the moment a casualty is recovered from the water.

A big part of being a lifeboat crew member is being ready for whatever comes when the pager sounds.

26/08/2026

📣 Could you be our next Lifeboat Press Officer?

We are looking for a volunteer to take on the role as our Lifeboat Press Officer here at Eastbourne RNLI!

The role involves working with local media, creating social media content, writing press releases and sharing important safety advice to our local community.

If you’re a confident communicator with an interest in writing, photography, video or social media, this could be for you.

📅 Applications close 27 September 2026.

https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/lifeboat-press-officer-eastbourne-618073.html

The RNLI’s Lifeboat Station in Eastbourne, one of the busiest in the region, with an iconic heritage having been established in 1822, is looking for a volunteer to join the existing team in the role of Lifeboat Press Officer.

23/08/2026

🚨

🕑 Saturday 22nd August - 9:14pm
📟 118 - D-Class Inshore Lifeboat

Solent Coastguard tasked our Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) to reports of a person who had been witnessed jumping from the end of Eastbourne Pier into the water and was last seen drifting in a westerly direction.

Our ILB arrived on scene and began an immediate search of the area, but despite an extensive search, the casualty could not be located.

Our All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB) was subsequently tasked at 9:50pm to assist, providing additional search capability and powerful searchlights. The Coastguard helicopter, Rescue 363, was also tasked to support the search.

After around an hour, a report was received that a person matching the description had been seen exiting the water and making his way inland.

Following further extensive searching and enquiries, it was determined that this individual was believed to be the person reported in the water.

With the casualty accounted for, all units were stood down at 10:48pm.

The RNLI advises never to jump from piers into the sea. Water depth can change with the tide, and there may be hidden rocks, debris or other hazards beneath the surface. Cold water shock and strong currents can quickly put you in difficulty, and getting back out of the water may be difficult or impossible. What may look like a safe jump can have serious consequences — stay off the pier edge and stay safe.

📷 - RNLI/Alan Wood

17/08/2026

Eastbourne Airbourne – Crew Update

Our volunteer crews launched both boats for extended training sessions for the duration of the airshow, and to be in the vicinity incase any incidents would occur.

During the weekend, our crews responded to four separate incidents:

🕑 Friday 14th August - Trent Class All-Weather Lifeboat

Our All-Weather Lifeboat was tasked to assist a sailing vessel which had suffered a total electrical failure. The vessel was located and safely towed back to Sovereign Harbour.

🕑 Friday 14th August - D-Class Inshore Lifeboat

Our Inshore Lifeboat was flagged down by a passing motor vessel after they spotted several large pieces of wood drifting in the vicinity of multiple vessels. The crew located and towed the debris to the beach, where, with assistance from the Coastguard, it was hauled clear of the water to remove the hazard to navigation.

🕑 Sunday 16th August - D-Class Inshore Lifeboat

The ILB was requested to assist a person who had been swimming from their anchored vessel. They had been swept downtide and were struggling to make their way back. Our crew located the casualty, recovered them safely from the water and returned them to their vessel.

🕑 Sunday 16th August - D-Class Inshore Lifeboat

Our ILB was tasked to search for a person who had entered the water and had not been seen for approximately 60 minutes. Working alongside Eastbourne lifeguards, police officers and Coastguard Rescue Teams, our crew carried out a search of the area. Fortunately, after a short time, the casualty was located safely ashore and all teams were stood down.

🪂 Red Devils Water Landings
As part of the planned arrangements for the airshow, our ILB crew also assisted the Eastbourne Lifeguards on Saturday and Sunday with recovering members of the Red Devils parachute display team from the water following their planned water landings, returning them safely to the beach.

Alongside the incidents and planned airshow duties, our crews completed numerous elements of crew training, maintained a presence on the water and enjoyed meeting and interacting with members of the local boating community and members of the public throughout the event.

It’s been a busy but hugely rewarding four days for our volunteers and we would like to thank them for giving up thier time to ensure people stayed safe during the event.

📷 - Photos shared with permission.

16/08/2026

🚨

🕑 Sunday 16th August – 01:20am
📟 114 – D-Class Inshore Lifeboat

Solent Coastguard requested the launch of our Inshore Lifeboat to search for a person in difficulty in the Beachy Head area, following a satellite distress alert.

The lifeboat launched under the command of James Wishman, with Ryan Needham and Nick Humphries as crew, and proceeded at best speed to the last reported position.

As the ILB arrived on scene, the crew spotted a torchlight at the base of the lighthouse and immediately went to investigate, locating the casualty.

A crew member was placed on the base of the lighthouse, where they found the casualty to be extremely cold, shivering badly and feeling unwell. It was clear that they needed to be evacuated as quickly as possible.

The casualty had been cut off by the incoming tide for several hours and was stranded in an exposed position to the wind. With no mobile phone signal, and no ambient or moonlight, the area was extremely dark.

The casualty was fitted with a lifejacket before being transferred onto the lifeboat and taken to Holywell, where they were handed over to the ambulance service for further care.

Having been stranded for several hours, the casualty had begun considering entering the water and attempting to swim to safety. Had they done so, the outcome could have been very different.

This incident is a reminder of how quickly the tide can cut people off around our coastline. Always check tide times before heading onto the coast, particularly around cliffs and beaches where escape routes can become inaccessible.

📞 In a coastal emergency, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

📷 - RNLI/Liz Bryant

11/08/2026

✈️ Eastbourne Airbourne – Stay Safe! ✈️

With thousands of people expected to flock to Eastbourne this weekend, and some great weather forecast, we’re sharing a few simple safety tips to help everyone enjoy Airbourne safely.

🏖️ Heading to the beach?

• Swim between the red and yellow flags.
• Always follow the lifeguards’ instructions.
• Never drink alcohol and swim.
• Keep children close and supervise them around the water.
• Inflatables are dangerous if used on the sea,  keep them for the swimming pool.
• Free children’s wristbands are available from the Lifeguard Hut, just east of the Wish Tower. Remember to add your contact details!
• Stay hydrated and apply your sun cream.

🛥️ Out on the water?

• Stay outside the flight line exclusion zone. The exclusion zone is clearly marked by buoys
⛔️ please do not enter it ⛔️
• Follow instructions from safety boats and other authorities.
• Keep a listening watch on VHF Channel 16.

Both of our lifeboats will be on the water over all 4 days of the airshow, if you see them, give them a wave 👋

If someone gets into trouble, don’t put yourself at risk. Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

09/08/2026

🚨

🕑 Sunday 9th August – 03:09am
📟 111 – D-Class Inshore Lifeboat

Solent Coastguard requested the launch of our ILB to assist with a multi agency response to locate a person in distress on Eastbourne Pier.

Thankfully, as our crew were preparing to launch, the casualty was located and was being treated by the ambulance service.

The launch was subsequently cancelled.

📞 In a coastal emergency, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

📸 RNLI/Peter Needham

08/08/2026

🚨

A busy night for our volunteer crews, with two separate callouts in the early hours of this morning.

🕑 Saturday 8th August – 00:45am
📟 109 – D-Class Inshore Lifeboat

Solent Coastguard requested the launch of our ILB to locate and assist a person reported to be in the water on the eastern side of the harbour entrance.

Our volunteer crew launched and immediately began a search alongside Eastbourne and Birling Gap Coastguard Rescue Teams and police officers.

As the search continued, information was received that the person had been located away from the search area and was safe. The search was stood down.

But as the ILB entered the locks, the very familiar sound of the pagers was heard once more.

🕑 Saturday 8th August – 01:26am
📟 110 – Trent Class All-Weather Lifeboat

Solent Coastguard requested the assistance of our Trent Class lifeboat to a 29-foot sailing vessel experiencing mechanical problems.

With no wind and the vessel unable to safely make the harbour entrance under its own power, our crew located the casualty vessel drifting approximately four miles east of Eastbourne.

Following a risk assessment on scene, the Coxswain determined that the safest option was to take the vessel under tow and bring it into the nearest safe haven – Sovereign Harbour.

Crew Member Nick was transferred onto the sailing vessel to assist with making off the tow and conducted a welfare check with those onboard.

After a short tow, the sailing vessel was safely brought into the harbour just after 4am, where it was handed into the care of marina staff.

📞 In a coastal emergency, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

📸 RNLI/Peter Needham

05/08/2026

🚨

🕑 Wednesday 5th August – 7:49pm
📟 108 – D-Class Inshore Lifeboat

Solent Coastguard requested the launch of our ILB to locate and assist 3 paddleboarders in potential difficulty between Eastbourne Pier and the Wish Tower.

Eastbourne Coastguard Rescue Team were on scene and had a visual of the reported paddleboarders, who appeared to be struggling, and relayed an updated location to the lifeboat crew who were making best speed.

Thankfully, as our volunteer crew arrived on scene, all three paddleboarders had safely returned back to shore and were checked over by Coastguard Rescue Officers.

With no further requirements for the lifeboat on scene, our crew were stood down and returned to station.

📞 In a coastal emergency, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

📸 - Chris White

05/08/2026

Another new Trent Class Mechanic for Eastbourne RNLI 🔧

Congratulations to volunteer crew member Sam Whittaker, who today successfully qualified as a Mechanic on our Trent Class All-Weather Lifeboat.

Following months of training, Sam completed his final assessment in strong winds and uncomfortable sea conditions, making the practical elements of the assessment even more challenging. Climbing around a moving engine room while monitoring and operating the lifeboat's machinery is no easy task, requiring confidence, technical knowledge and the ability to work safely in demanding conditions.

The role of a lifeboat mechanic is critical to every launch. They are responsible for the operation and reliability of the lifeboat's engines and onboard systems, carrying out pre-launch checks, monitoring machinery throughout service and dealing with any faults that may occur while at sea.

Sam (pictured right) was assessed by Matt Parr, RNLI Plant & Machinery Assessor (left) who put him through a thorough assessment to ensure he was ready for operational service.