Lifeboat Station ‘Come Visit Us’ Everyone at Littlehampton Lifeboat Station in planning to welcome visitors during their open days over the weekend of 26 & 27 June. The details are yet to be finalised, but the expectation is that the crew and helpers will be on hand to show visitors how all of the equipment works and to talk about their experiences. The lifeboats will be launched on both days for a rescue demonstration, with visiting lifeboats and the coastguard rescue helicopter. Return to this page nearer the time for more information. |
Littlehampton Lifeboat Station open days - 26 & 27 June |
Sussex RNLI lifeboat launches high throughout 2009 The number of lifeboat launches in Sussex in 2009 show that volunteer lifeboat crew members had yet another busy year, launching a total of 523 times across eight lifeboat stations.The official figures show that at RNLI lifeboat stations in Hastings, Newhaven and Littlehampton, the number of launches was higher in 2009 than the previous year, while Rye Harbour remained consistent, launching 27 times in both 2008 and 2009.* Across the eight lifeboat stations in east and west Sussex, 2009 was busier than 2008, when collectively the stations carried out a total of 514 launches. The statistics also show that across all RNLI lifeboat in the East, there were 1,146 lifeboat launches in 2008 to assist people using pleasure craft, be it power, sail or manual. But in 2009, this figure rose to 1,658 – 212 more launches and equivalent to a 14% increase. Altogether the figures illustrate the ongoing need for the voluntary contributions which are vital to keep the 24-7 lifesaving service operational. Andrew Ashton, RNLI Divisional Inspector for the east division, said: ‘Our volunteer lifeboat crew members in Sussex had yet another busy year in 2009 and there seems to have been an increase in calls to assist leisure marine users. This is a market we are increasingly trying to reach in terms of promoting sea safety. Indeed, in 2009 the RNLI launched a campaign aimed specifically at leisure marine users, called Serious Fun!’ Andrew went on to explain how the charity’s remit stretches far beyond coastal waters, highlighting the need for continued support from the public: ‘We also operate lifeboats on the River Thames in London and have a dedicated Flood Rescue Team. During the floods in November last year in Cumbria RNLI teams helped hundreds of people to safety, showing that the RNLI can touch the lives of anyone at any time, whether at the coast or even in their own homes if the worst happens during a flood emergency.’ Michael Vlasto, Operations Director of the RNLI, said: ‘As a charity that is totally reliant on the public for funds, we have to be prudent and plan ahead to ensure we can continue to provide a 24/7 rescue service that keeps people safe around our shores. This means analysing what type of rescue work we are called out to and what services might be required of this lifesaving charity in the future. I cannot thank the public enough for their continued support.’ |
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Littlehampton Lifeboats SOS Success |
Littlehampton Lifeboats Check out more pics in the: |
Littlehampton Lifeboats Snow Day Helmsmen Andy Harris and Ivan Greer arrived bright and early to take the Atlantic 75 and the D Class lifeboats out on their regular weekend exercise. Joining them were several crewmen and two new trainee crew, Lois Anderson a student at Surrey University studying forensic science and graphic designer Simon Tann. |
Littlehampton Lifeboat |
100 shouts for Littlehampton lifeboats The volunteer crew of Littlehampton lifeboat station were called out on their 100th shout of the year at around 11am on Saturday morning to assist a vessel on passage to Shoreham. The 6.4 metre cruiser had broken down and was having some electrical problems so volunteer crewmen Ollie Clark, Andy Harris and Lee Cullen located them swiftly off the coast of Goring and towed them back to the harbour. Littlehampton lifeboat station has had an extremely busy year so far - this was the 100th call out! Last year between January and December the boys and girls were called out 85 times, so who knows what the coming months will bring. Nick White, the volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager said: "We have a dedicated team at Littlehampton who put a great deal of time into their training and are always willing to respond when they are needed. One hundred calls is a bit special, it is a record for us, and this year amongst the more routine tasks have been some shouts under very challenging conditions, or when the casualties were in serious danger." |
Littlehampton Gazette 2009 |
Littlehampton RNLI welcomes two new crew Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station has welcomed two new volunteer crew members to its ranks, who have each completed their initial training and have been successfully assessed by an RNLI trainer Lee Cullen is 23 years old and was born and bred in Littlehampton. He is a carpenter and joiner and has been sailing since childhood, and races both dinghies and cruisers. Josh Gruber, 19, is a chef and moved to Littlehampton 18 months ago after living in Tenerife for the previous 7 years. Nick White, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station, welcomed the pair and said: 'Lifeboat crews undergo extensive and structured training to make sure that their instinctive boating abilities are maintained and that there is a standard approach to the many situations that are encountered at sea. The lifeboat station’s training co-ordinator oversees both initial and on an ongoing training, which is conducted by the senior members of the crew.' Full time RNLI trainers and assessors attend Littlehampton regularly to review progress, and to confirm that each member of the crew achieves the RNLI’s high standards. Lee and Josh will both be attending a residential course at the Lifeboat College at the RNLI's headquarters in Poole, Dorset, during the next couple of months which will further extend their skills and prepare them to respond to the many calls dealt with by Littlehampton’s lifeboats each year. |
New Crew: Josh Gruber & |
Littlehampton 2009 SOS Day Success A fantastic day was had by all and over £2000 was raised for the RNLI. In recognition of this Sally Hilton, the RNLI's regional fundraising manager, visited us the lifeboat station’s annual cheese and wine night to present the award to crewmen Olly Clark, Andy Hicks and fund-raiser Jan Pearce. A raffle was also held that night where past and present crewmen raised £344, all made possible from the generously donated prizes from local businesses. Many vouchers donated from florists (Petals n Buds), to guesthouses (The Regency), restaurants, shops and not forgetting the Golf Club. |
Tom & Scott, SOS Day 2009. |
Littlehampton RNLI Shop |
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