Bonfire Parade Interrupted by Lifeboat Search Drama in Hastings
While some of the Hastings RNLI crew joined the town’s annual bonfire parade, others were scrambling to launch a full-scale sea rescue operation on Saturday evening. Both lifeboats were called out in a tense search for a missing windsurfer off St Leonard’s coast.
Windsurfer Alert Sparks Nighttime Lifeboat Rush
At 6:30pm, just as the bonfire parade kicked off, the Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) was urgently paged by Solent Coastguard after reports of a windsurfer in trouble.
The volunteer crew dashed to the scene and lit flares to scour the waters. Despite a thorough search, no trace of the windsurfer was found.
All Weather Lifeboat Joins Hunt as Darkness Falls
As night fell and sea conditions worsened, the ILB headed back to base. But the drama wasn’t over. The All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) was launched, pulling more volunteers away from the bonfire festivities. Using powerful searchlights, the ALB combed the area exhaustively—yet again, the missing windsurfer was nowhere to be seen.
Mission Called Off, But Heroes Praised
Once the Coastguard gave the all-clear, both lifeboats returned to station. Hastings RNLI hailed their volunteers’ incredible dedication for juggling community fun with lifesaving duty.
“The commitment of our crew, balancing town celebrations with rescue work, is truly outstanding,”
Photos from crew members Claire and Chloe capture the grit and determination behind the scenes. Hastings RNLI stay ready 24/7, day or night, to keep sea-goers safe.
