RNLI Lifeboat Launches After Liferaft Sighting Off East Sussex
Volunteer lifeboat crews from Eastbourne were deployed on Wednesday afternoon following reports of a semi-submerged liferaft in a busy shipping lane off the East Sussex coast. The emergency call sparked concern but ultimately proved a false alarm when the object was identified as a cluster of drifting balloons.
Rapid Response from Eastbourne RNLI
The Trent class all-weather lifeboat Esme Anderson was launched at 3.20pm on April 1 to investigate the sighting 13 nautical miles south-east of Eastbourne. The report described what appeared to be a person in the water or a life raft, prompting an urgent search given the location’s heavy maritime traffic.
Search Finds Only Balloons
Upon arrival, the crew examined the object, which initially resembled a liferaft bobbing in the waves. Closer inspection revealed it to be a bunch of red and black balloons drifting in the water. Despite this, crews carried out a thorough creeping line search covering 23.1 nautical miles to eliminate any risk of a real casualty in the area.
Coxswain Emphasises Caution
“At first glance, the object did look like a person or a liferaft,” said Coxswain Clive Collict. “Because it was a busy shipping lane, we had to carry out a full search to rule out any danger. Luckily, it was just debris.”
The lifeboat was back at the station by 8pm, having found no one in distress.
RNLI Urges Public to Report Emergencies Correctly
RNLI reminder: In any coastal emergency, always call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Accurate and timely reporting can save lives—never rely on assumptions about what you see at sea.
