Eastbourne Lifeboat Crew Race Against Time in Triple Rescue Mission
Non-Stop Action for RNLI Heroes
In the dead of night on Wednesday 22 February 2024, Eastbourne’s RNLI volunteers sprang into action. At 1:28am, the D-class Inshore lifeboat, David H, was launched after Solent Coastguard received reports of a missing person. Battling near-total darkness and grim weather, the crew teamed up with Coastguard Helicopter 163, coastguard units, and police to scour the seas.
All-Weather Lifeboat Joins the Hunt
The rough conditions forced the call for reinforcements. The All-weather lifeboat joined the fray, boosting search efforts with steadfast determination. Both lifeboats worked seamlessly alongside partner agencies, expanding the search area despite the harsh elements.
Back-to-Back Call Outs Test Volunteer Grit
The gruelling search ended at 5:30am with no sign of the missing person. But Eastbourne’s RNLI heroes barely caught their breath before being paged again at 6:49am. This time, the lifeboat Esme Anderson launched in response to a person reported in the water near Hastings. Thankfully, the alert was stood down after the individual was confirmed safe on land.
Undeterred, the team was called once more at 9:10am to relaunch Esme Anderson for a renewed search effort. They coordinated with other agencies until stood down at 11:00am, wrapping up a relentless day of lifesaving work.
New Lifeboat Makes Triumphant Debut
The triple tasking marked the first three missions for the brand-new RNLB Esme Anderson. The commitment and resilience of Eastbourne’s RNLI volunteers shone through, earning grateful thanks from the charity for employers who supported their staff during this hectic spell.
