RNLI Eastbourne

29/10/2026

After 15 years of service, Michael Wishman has made the difficult decision to step down as a crew member on the Eastbourne Lifeboats.

Throughout his time at the station, Michael has given so much of his time and commitment to helping others, both at sea and through the many hours of training that go into being part of an RNLI crew.

His contribution includes 254 launches on service , helping 377 people and being part of five lives saved, alongside 264 training exercise launches.

These figures represent just a part of the time, effort and dedication Michael has given over the years.

From everyone at Eastbourne Lifeboats, thank you, Michael, for your 15 years of service, for the time you've given and for the difference you've made to those who needed our help.

We wish you all the very best for the future, Mick! 💙🧡

22/10/2026

⚠️ The RNLI is urging people to stay safe during Storm Austen ⚠️

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning with winds forecast to reach more than 70mph in coastal locations and waterways along the south east coast of England.

The expected strong winds will also bring heavy rain posing a safety risk to those visiting the coast and watersides. Lifesaving charity, the RNLI, is encouraging people to exercise extreme caution if visiting the shoreline, especially along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers.

RNLI Water Safety Manager, Ross Macleod said: ‘Storm Austen is set to bring potentially dangerous conditions so we’re asking the public to stay vigilant and not take unnecessary risks. If you plan to visit the coast or a waterside location, we urge you stay a safe distance from the water as conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea.

'If you find yourself in trouble in the water, remember to Float to Live: Lie back in the water with your head so far back that your ears are wet, extend your arms and legs and try to relax as best as you can until you get control of your breathing before then calling for help or swimming to safety.

‘If you see someone else in danger – do not enter the water yourself as you could also end up in serious difficulty. Instead, remember phone, float, throw – phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard; tell the struggling person to float; throw them something buoyant, like a life ring.’

If you find yourself in trouble in the water, the RNLI’s safety advice is float to live:

• Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
• Relax and try to breathe normally
• Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat
• It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
• Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.

If you see someone else in trouble at the coast, remember Phone, Float Throw:

• Phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard to get help.
• Tell the struggling person to Float to Live.
• Throw them something that floats, such as a life ring.

📷 - Lifeboats in action! 🌊🆘🌊

17/10/2026

🚤🌊 COME AND CELEBRATE EASTBOURNE RNLI! 🌊🚤

Join us at Eastbourne Salvation Army for a very special service celebrating the amazing work of our Eastbourne RNLI.

📅 Sunday 25 October
🕔 5.00pm
📍 Eastbourne Salvation Army

We’re delighted that members of the Eastbourne RNLI crews will be joining us, along with Josh Babarinde MP, as we recognise and celebrate the incredible work of those who help save lives at sea. ❤️

💙 SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL RNLI 💙

There will be an offering during the service, with all money raised going to support the work of the RNLI in Eastbourne.

Everyone is welcome, so please share this post, invite your friends and family, and come along for what promises to be a very special evening.

Let’s fill the hall and show our support for the incredible people who are there when others need them most. 🙌

⚓ Supporting those who save lives at sea. ⚓

16/10/2026

Two familiar faces at many of our events, George and Janet Horn, have been involved with our fundraising team for an incredible 40 years!

This week, their long service medals and certificates were presented by Colin McKee, Chair of the Lifeboat Management Group.

Afterwards, Clive, one of our Volunteer Coxswains, took George and Janet down to the pontoon to show them our All-Weather Lifeboat and the new location for our Inshore Lifeboat. They then enjoyed a cuppa with some of the crew, sharing stories and memories from their four decades as part of the RNLI family.

Thank you, George and Janet, for 40 years of dedication, support and being part of our crew family! 🧡💙

📷 - RNLI/Graham D

13/10/2026

The RNLI is continuing to evolve its fleet to meet the changing demands of lifesaving at sea, with Eastbourne RNLI set to receive the brand new Coastal Lifeboat in 2030, replacing our current Trent-class lifeboat, Esme Anderson, which was built in 1994, the oldest in the RNLI fleet!

The new Zodiac Hurricane ZH1129 will be self-righting, feature a protective wheelhouse and operate up to 25 nautical miles offshore, with a top speed of 35 knots, giving our volunteer crew enhanced capabilities for the future.

Check out the link below to find out more about the RNLI’s Lifeboat Fleet Strategy and the Coastal Lifeboat.

https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2026/october/12/rnli-evolving-to-meet-lifesaving-demand

In the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) third century of lifesaving, the charity’s rescue work is increasing in demand and as vital as ever – but the way people are using the coast and the water is changing, which will require an evolutionary response from the RNLI.

09/10/2026

🚨

🕑 Friday 9th October - 5:59pm
📟 140 - D-Class Inshore Lifeboat
📟 141 - Trent Class All-Weather Lifeboat

Solent Coastguard requested the launch of both Eastbourne Lifeboats to locate and assist a person in distress in the water between the Bandstand and Holywell.

The ILB was first to launch and proceeded to make best speed against force 8 westerly winds, with the ALB following shortly after.

Fortunately, before the crews arrived on scene, it was confirmed the casualty had exited the water and was in the care local Coastguard Rescue Officers.

Both boats were then stood down and made ready for the next service call.

📷 - RNLI/ Alan Wood

07/10/2026

Our D-Class Inshore Lifeboat has responded to three separate taskings in just 12 hours, all assisting partner emergency services with incidents to the west of Eastbourne.

Our volunteers have now responded to their pagers 139 times this year, dropping everything to help others at sea.

On the way back from one of the taskings, the crew were treated to an unexpected flying visit from a paramotor — just a few metres above the D-Class! 🪂

📹 - Eastbourne ILB

04/10/2026

Today at our crew meeting, we were pleased to recognise Helmsman Peter Needham (pictured left), who received his 30-year RNLI Long Service Medal.

Making it even more special, Peter’s medal was presented by his brother Dave Needham (pictured right), who also serves alongside him at Eastbourne.

Over 30 years, Peter has been involved in numerous memorable shouts, including Eastbourne Airbourne in the year 2000, when an L-29 Delfín jet crashed into the sea while performing at the airshow.

He was also part of the RNLI response to the Lewes and Uckfield floods, when D-Class lifeboats were deployed to the streets inland to help people affected by the rising flood waters.

Thank you for the last 30 years, countless shouts and a huge amount of time given to helping others at sea.

📷 - RNLI/Ryan Needham

03/10/2026

🚨

🕑 Saturday 3rd October - 3:43pm
📟 135 - D-Class Inshore Lifeboat
📟 136 - Trent Class All-Weather Lifeboat

Solent Coastguard requested the launch of our ILB to locate and assist a number of people reported to have been cut off by the incoming tide near Beachy Head Lighthouse.

With multiple reports providing differing information, the number of people potentially in difficulty was unclear. As a precaution, the duty Launch Authority made the decision to also launch our All-weather lifeboat to assist.

As the ILB arrived on scene, the crew were flagged down by a small RIB who explained they had already safely assisted two people from the rocks and taken them to a place of safety at Holywell. They had also seen another four people stranded on a small beach to the west of the lighthouse.

An RNLI crew member was placed ashore to carry out a welfare check. The four people were cold and wet but otherwise well. They were fitted with lifejackets and transferred to the ILB.

All four were then taken to Birling Gap, where they were able to change into dry clothes and warm up.

With no further people in difficulty, both lifeboats were stood down and returned to station.

We would like to thank the owner of the small RIB for their assistance and for helping those in difficulty before our arrival.

RNLI safety advice: Remember to check the tide times before heading out and plan your route to avoid getting cut off by the incoming tide.

If you do get cut off, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

📷 - RNLI/Liz Bryant

02/10/2026

🚨

🕑 Friday 2nd October - 3:31pm
📟 134 - D-Class Inshore Lifeboat

Solent Coastguard requested our volunteer crew to assist with a multi-agency search after unattended items had been located towards the west of Eastbourne.

The ILB carried out a shoreline search alongside local Coastguard Rescue Teams, the coastguard helicopter 'Rescue 363' and Sussex Police officers.

Due to the sensitive nature of this incident, no further information will be released.

📷 - RNLI/Liz Bryant