The Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat was tasked to attend a search and rescue operation at Camber Sands. It launched at 5:33pm on Saturday April 1 at the request of the UK Coastguard in order to assist in the search and rescue of a female who was reported to have entered the water at Camber Sands.
The RNLI crew were quickly at the scene and in conjunction with a UK Coastguard helicopter they started a thorough search of the area where the woman was reported to have been, whilst shore based services arrived at the beach.
After 15 minutes the lifeboat was asked to stand down after the woman had been found safe and well in an amusement arcade on the beach.
This was the first time this year that Rye Harbour Lifeboat had been called out to a reported emergency at Camber Sands. The sunshine and temperatures of over 20 degrees brought many people to the beach to enjoy some of the best weather so far in 2017. Last year was a particularly busy year for the RNLI in the South East with volunteer lifeboat crews from 39 stations rescuing 2013 people who were in distress.
Whilst the RNLI is primarily a frontline rescue service, the charity isn’t just about rescuing people when they find themselves in danger. It aims to equip people with the knowledge and skills to avoid trouble in the first place and know what to do should they find themselves or others in danger in the water.
Glen Mallen, RNLI Lifesaving Manager, said: “Once again we are extremely grateful for the dedication shown by our lifesavers. Our volunteer lifeboat crews collectively spent in excess of 42,800 hours at sea, but we really do see our rescue service as a last resort. We’d really like to see people paying more attention to safety messages and giving the water the heathy respect it deserves. While we will always answer the call for help, I and everyone within the RNLI would like to see people staying safer at the coast.”
It’s not just those who use water frequently who find themselves needing help. Last year proved that a trip to the coast can prove fatal if people do not take care or ask for help. One major tragedy saw five young men drown after getting into difficulty in the sea off Camber Sands, East Sussex. This summer the RNLI will provide a lifeguard service at those beaches at the request of the local authority.
Source: Rye Harbour RNLI
Photo: Tony Edwards, Rye Harbour Lifeboat DLA