Volunteer lifeboat crews scrambled to Rye Bay off the Sussex coast after a Mayday alert flagged a suspicious fuel slick in the water.
Pett Level Lifeboat Launches Rapid Response
At 9.49am on Sunday, the Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat was dispatched by the UK Coastguard to investigate reports of a fuel smear spotted in the sea. The volunteer crew promptly launched and hit the coordinates, combing the area with a systematic search.
Pollution Found, Source Unknown
The crew discovered significant patches of polluted water during their hunt. They collected samples to help the authorities trace the source of the contamination and logged the exact affected locations. Meanwhile, coastguard helicopters hovered overhead, using heat-seeking tech to spot any vessels or people linked to the earlier Mayday call.
After 90 intensive minutes searching, the lifeboat crew was stood down—leaving the cause of the fuel slick and its connection to the Mayday call still a mystery.
Pett Level Lifeboat’s Fourth Call-Out of 2026
This operation marks the fourth call-out for the Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat team this year, proving once again their vital role in keeping Sussex’s waters safe.
