RNLI Southend Lifeboat

02/11/2026

Happy November to our followers, supporters and fellow volunteers.
Less than two weeks to go until the seventh Southend RNLI Comedy Night. Tickets selling fast, reserve your tickets on the link below and join us for an evening of laughter on Friday 13 November 7pm at Chalkwell Park Rooms.

Windsor will be the MC for the evening. An accomplished comedy MC with sharp wit, charm and effortless crowd control.

Opening the show we have Tadiwa Mahlung, known for being a Edinburgh Fringe regular & rising UK comic with major festival, TV and radio credits. Joining him we have Russell Arathoon, a harp observational comic known for cheeky crowd work and camp storytelling. Closing the show is Mad Ron – an award-winning character comic and self-proclaimed “Uxbridge’s Third Hardest Man”.

Cash raffle on the night - all proceeds to Southend RNLI.

Bar meals available. Thanks to Gary Jackets (The Joker Comedy Club) for hosting the night on our behalf.

Come and join Southend RNLI at their 7th Annual Comedy Night at the Chalkwell Park Rooms. All proceeds to the RNLI.

24/10/2026

Southend RNLI Lifeboat volunteers Jonathan, Ed and Clair at the top of 22 Bishopsgate after completing the 2026 RNLI Tower Run.

Well done lifesavers ❤️🛟❤️

24/10/2026

Three Southend RNLI volunteers are taking on the RNLI Tower Run today Saturday 24 October to support the RNLI's lifesaving work in London and along the UK coastline.

The RNLI Tower Run is London’s biggest stair climb challenge and the UK's tallest Tower Run, with runners tackling over 1,500 steps of 22 Bishopsgate in the heart of London - the site on which the RNLI was founded over 200 years ago.

Ed, Jonathan and Clair are among the 403 entries running up the 58 floors. Our trio have raised over £850 between them contributing to an event total of a staggering £53,299 total so far.

To support their challenge's, click on the links below.
https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/edunderwood/tower-run
https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/jonathancharnock/tower-run
https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/clairreed/tower-run

16/10/2026

Come and join Southend RNLI at their 7th Annual Comedy Night at the Chalkwell Park Rooms 13 November 2026.
Doors open at 7pm for 8pm start.

Windsor will be the MC for the evening. An accomplished comedy MC with sharp wit, charm and effortless crowd control.

Opening the show we have Tadiwa Mahlung, known for being a Edinburgh Fringe regular & rising UK comic with major festival, TV and radio credits. Joining him we have Russell Arathoon, a harp observational comic known for cheeky crowd work and camp storytelling. Closing the show is Mad Ron – an award-winning character comic and self-proclaimed “Uxbridge’s Third Hardest Man”.

Cash raffle on the night - all proceeds to Southend-on-Sea RNLI Lifeboat.

Bar meals available. Thanks to Gary Jackets (The Joker Comedy Club) for hosting the night on our behalf.

Tickets available at: https://southendrnlicomedy2026.eventbrite.co.uk

11/10/2026

Southend-on-Sea RNLI Lifeboat volunteers were tasked by HM Coastguard on Saturday 10 October at 6.30pm to reports of three people stuck in the mud near Hadleigh Ray. The RNLI crew launched the charity’s Inshore Rescue Hovercraft H-004 Vera Ravine into service.

Under the command of RNLI volunteer David Hopper, Vera Ravine made best speed possible in low light conditions towards the casualties reported location.

On route the RNLI hovercraft crew received information from HM Coastguard that the casualties were in contact and aware of the approaching hovercraft.

Southend RNLI volunteer Commander Dave Hopper said: ‘The soft mud around in certain spots in the Thames Estuary can catch people out, and it’s easy to get stuck and need help. That’s where the RNLI come in.

‘The casualties called the Coastguard as soon as they realised they were in difficulty with the light fading. They thought quickly and used their mobile phone torches to get our attention and show us exactly where they were, which was a great help in these challenging conditions’.

The RNLI crew made way cautiously across reels and gutway’s until they reached the casualties approximately 200 meters off the east end of Two Tree Island. The casualties were assisted onto the hovercraft and taken to Bell Wharf where HM Coastguard Southend On Sea were standing by.

Southend RNLI hovercraft was stood down and returned to station at 8.30pm.

Take care and research the local area. When walking around the shore or tidal areas of the estuary’s, local knowledge of the tidal creeks is essential. Deep soft mud surrounds many of the creeks and gutway’s of the Essex coast.

If you’re walking on the coast, take a mobile phone with you, call 999 if you get in trouble. If you get stuck in the mud, try not to panic or struggle, struggling can worsen the situation. Spread your weight by sitting down and call or signal for help.

01/10/2026

Along with our colleagues from around the UK & Ireland, all the volunteers at Southend RNLI lifeboat station are deeply saddened with the news from our RNLI family at Hastings today.

The flag at Southend lifeboat station has been lowered to half-mast today as a mark of respect following the tragic passing of a crew member from Hastings RNLI yesterday evening.

Condolences, thoughts and prayers of the volunteers at Southend RNLI are with Hasting RNLI's family, friends and crew 🙏

17/09/2026

10/09/2026

Following events at Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight over the weekend, we are sharing this statement from RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes.

Southend-on-Sea RNLI stands in solidarity with our colleagues across the entire RNLI and remains committed to saving lives at sea without judgment, fear or favour, as our charity has done for more than 200 years. For those who stand with us, thank you 🙏

See comments for Peter Sparks full video statement.

01/09/2026

Last week Southend-on-Sea RNLI took part in an evening exercise with HM Coastguard helicopter rescue 363.

On a beautiful summer evening the RNLI volunteers launched the charity's Atlantic 85 B-885 Julia & Angus Wright, and inshore rescue hovercraft H-004 Vera Ravine to practice vital helicopter winching manoeuvres with HM Coastguard helicopter rescue 363 from Manston in Kent.

Winching to the B class and hovercraft are very different exercises.

The B-class lifeboat is required to keep a steady speed and course, whereas the hovercraft needs to be stationary due to the downdraft from the rescue helicopter which can drive the hovercraft wildly off course.

A perfect exercise by all, this ensures the lifeboat volunteers are always ready to carry out emergency airlifts when required.

A massive thanks to HM Coastguard rescue helicopter crew for the crucial training exercise.

31/08/2026

Southend RNLI Lifeboat Station celebrated a milestone this August, presenting retired RNLI volunteer Richard Offord with his 20-Year Long Service Award in recognition of extraordinary dedication to the charity.

Over the course of 22 years active service with Southend RNLI lifeboat station Richard has held vital leadership roles including fundraising treasurer, fundraising chair, and chair of the lifeboat management group. His tireless efforts behind the scenes have ensured the station maintained the crucial funding and leadership needed to help rescue those in distress at sea.

Richard’s decades of commitment have previously earned him some of the RNLI’s prestigious volunteer honours including the Bronze and Gold Badges, as well as the Commendation-Excellence in Volunteering Certificate and Award. Since 2011 Richard has been Southend RNLI station Vice-President.

The presentation was attended by key station personnel and local RNLI figures, including Southend Lifeboat Operations Manager Barrie Daykin, Fundraising Chair Tony Clarke, and Southend RNLI lifeboat legends John Foster and Giles Offord.

Southend RNLI Volunteer Fundraising Chair Tony Clarke said: ‘Richard joined Southend RNLI in 1997 as part of the Annual Dinner to the Crews of the Southend Lifeboats Committee. Richard became chair in 1998 until 2008. He went on to become fundraising treasurer and then fundraising chair, also taking on the role of chair of the lifeboat management group.

‘Additionally, as Chair for Special Projects Richard oversaw the new inshore boathouse facility project 2005-2013 and the modification to the pierhead boathouse to accommodate the new Atlantic 85 lifeboat from 2013-2014.

‘This is some voluntary achievement and one all of us at the lifeboat station deeply appreciate.’

Reflecting on his journey, Richard Offord highlighted the deeply personal connection he and his family share with the lifesaving charity.

Richard Offord said: ‘The charity has been a significant part of my life and my family's lives. What drove our fundraising was knowing every penny raised would go directly towards saving lives at sea.’

Southend Lifeboat Station remains one of the busiest in the country, relying entirely on the commitment of dedicated volunteers like Richard and the generosity of the public to keep its crews trained, equipped, and ready to launch 24/7.

https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2026/august/31/southend-rnli-honours-long-serving-volunteer-for-over-two-decades-of-service