Brighton & Hove Eyes RNLI Takeover for Lifeguard Services
Brighton & Hove is set to shake up its lifeguard service. The local council is considering handing over beach safety duties to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) by summer 2025.
Lifeguards Keep Brighton’s Beaches Safe Every Year
Each summer, lifeguards patrol Brighton & Hove’s bustling 13km coastline—from Hove Lagoon to Saltdean—ensuring the safety of millions of visitors and locals. With the summer season approaching, the council launched a fresh review to improve this vital service, aiming to meet staff needs and community expectations.
Council Weighs In-House vs RNLI Management
The council’s Culture, Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Economic Committee recently debated two options: keep the service in-house or hand it over to the RNLI. Councillor Alan Robins, committee chair, stressed the stakes:
“Millions of people visit our seafront each summer, and keeping them safe is a huge priority for us. Lifeguards face challenging and sometimes traumatic events, so they need proper training, equipment, and wellbeing support to deal with any situation.”
Currently, the council’s Seafront Team runs the lifeguard service with a £482,193 budget for summer 2024. Lifeguards patrol from late May to the end of September, managing emergencies, watching sea conditions, giving first aid, and maintaining beach safety.
RNLI’s Track Record Could Boost Brighton’s Beach Safety
The RNLI, marking its 200th anniversary of saving lives at sea, operates 238 lifeboat stations and lifeguard posts nationwide. In Sussex alone, the RNLI manages beaches at Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, Bexhill, Hastings, and Camber Sands.
This transfer could leverage RNLI’s expertise to raise safety standards on Brighton’s coast from the 2025 season onwards.
The council will make a final decision after thorough exploration of both options, ensuring Brighton & Hove’s beaches remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.
