Brave RNLI Crew Rescue Grounded Boat in Stormy Seas
On the night of Saturday 22 April 2023, Littlehampton’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) sprang into action to save a stranded boat near Clymping beach. Battling towering 2.5m waves and fierce southerly winds, volunteer crews showed grit and determination in tough conditions.
Callout in Dead of Night
At 9.15pm, HM Coastguard called Littlehampton lifeboats to help a vessel grounded about a mile west of the harbour entrance. The station first launched the B-Class inshore lifeboat Renee Sherman, but shallow waters forced them to send out the smaller D-Class lifeboat Ray of Hope as backup.
Rain, Hail and Rough Surf Won’t Stop Them
Despite darkness, hail, and rain hammering the rescue effort, the D-Class lifeboat reached the beach. A brave crew member went ashore to fasten a tow rope to the stranded 6.1-metre boat with its outboard engine. After battling the breaking surf, they towed the vessel safely back to Littlehampton harbour. A crew member stayed aboard to check for damage during the tow.
“Night time rescues are trickier due to poor visibility and rough seas,” said Nick White, Lifeboat Operations Manager and Deputy Launch Authority. “A lee shore wind whipped up heavy surf and breaking waves, making the recovery even tougher. Our crews are well trained for this and got the job done safely and efficiently.”
Ready for the Next Callout
After the successful rescue, both lifeboats were hauled from the water, cleaned, and returned to the boathouse—ready for whatever comes next. This daring mission highlights the skill and commitment of Littlehampton’s RNLI volunteers who regularly risk it all to keep their community safe.
