Pett Level Independent
Rescue Boat

Registered Charity Number: 286891

Proud member of NILA

Shout Board 2025

Our shouts in 2025.
Remember if you need assistance or seeing anything that concerns you, call 999 and ask for Coastguard.

20 August 2025 - Tasked to an abandoned vessel at Winchelsea Beach

Shout #27
At 18.35 we were tasked by UK Coastguard to a report of an abandoned small vessel at Winchelsea Beach.
We assembled at the boathouse to prepare for launch. There were no casualties on scene.
Conditions were mild but with a flooding tide the launch was a bit tricky.
The vessel was located and placed under tow and taken to Pett Slip. RNLI Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station were also tasked.
A swift and efficient recovery by our volunteer crew. Well done to all.
The informant did the right thing to report it – if you see a hazard or something that doesn’t look right, call 999 and ask for Coastguard.

14 and 15 August 2025 - Tasked to a missing children and casualty with fractured hip

Shouts 24-26
📆On Thursday we were tasked at 13.09 by UK Coastguard to a report of a missing child on Camber beach. The team assembled to launch but received the welcome news that the child had been safely located.
 
📆On Friday we were tasked at 18.48, again to a missing child at Camber. Shortly after launching, we received confirmation that the child had been found.
 
As we were conducting closing down operations, a member of the public came to the boathouse to report a gentleman who had slipped on the rocks and suffered an injury on his hip. He had been out for an evening stroll and had no phone so was unable to call for help.
 
He was experiencing a fair amount of pain and unable to stand or walk. Our team quickly regrouped to walk down to Cliff End with the stretcher and first aid equipment.
 
The casualty was brought to the boathouse to await an ambulance. During the two hour wait, our crew conducted a thorough assessment, continually monitored his wellbeing and kept him as comfortable as possible. As always, our crew go the extra mile – we located family to let them know.
 
The fantastic ambulance crew took over and transferred the casualty to the ambulance.

10 August 2025 - Tasked to a casualty stuck in the mud at Winchelsea Beach

Shout #22
 
At 9.26 during our weekly training we were tasked by UK Coastguard to a report of a casualty stuck in the mud at Winchelsea Beach.
 
With a full crew at the station we launched within a few minutes, despite it being low tide.
 
In approx 10 minutes the casualty had been located and safely extracted on to our lifeboat. He was brought back to Pett Slip where our shore crew were waiting with towels and wellies.
 
The casualty was local and completely aware of all sea conditions. He just happened to get caught out on this occasion – it literally can happen to anyone. His friend and an observer did absolutely the right thing by calling for assistance.
 
After a cup of tea and some replacement clothes, the gentleman was fine to get back to his planned fishing trip.
 
A swift, efficient and professional response from our volunteer team.
 
#plirb #team #indylifeboat #rescueready #volunteering #SavingLivesAtSea

31 July 2025 - Tasked to missing vulnerable person between Fairlight and Bexhill

Shout #21
 
At approx 19.15 during our Thursday evening training, we were tasked by UK Coastguard to assist in a multi-agency operation to search for a missing person.
 
Working with RNLI Hastings Lifeboat Station and RNLI Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station, all three lifeboats conducted coordinated search patterns along the coastline between Fairlight and Bexhill. Teams from HM Coastguard- Bexhill, HM Coastguard Rye Bay and HM Coastguard – Hastings led the onshore search.
 
As the operation continued, crews from RNLI Dungeness Lifeboat Station and RNLI Eastbourne were called to extend the search.
 
After four hours, with very limited visibility and low fuel, we were stood down. A complex operation demonstrating the strength, diversity and abilities of the combined lifesaving emergency services along our coastline.

19 July 2025 - Tasked to swimmer in difficulty at Rock N Ore

At 16.18 we were tasked by UK Coastguard to reports of a swimmer in difficulty at Rock N Ore in Hastings.

Our volunteers assembled at the Boathouse in preparation for launch, but received the news that the swimmer had been safely extracted from the water and was safe and well.

10 July 2025 - Tasked to vulnerable person in water at Rock-a-Nore, Hastings

A special visit and on a shout.
This afternoon we welcomed our local MP Helena Dollimore for Hastings and Rye to Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat to give her a tour of our facilities and discuss our operations, taskings and long-term fundraising projects.
Although this was the first opportunity for a visit, Helena confirmed that she has been a supporter for many years and aware of the dedication and professionalism of our volunteer crew.
We are grateful that Helena has pledged her support on some key issues which we look forward to progressing.
During Helena’s visit, we were tasked by UK Coastguard to a report of a vulnerable person in the water at Rock-A-Nore. With a full team at the boathouse we were prepared to launch immediately.
As it was low tide, the launch vehicle made the journey across the rocks, sand and mud, during which time we received the call that the casualty was safe and we were stood down.

30 June 2025 - Tasked to vulnerable person in water at Camber Sands

At 19.44 we were tasked by UK Coastguard to a report a vulnerable person in the water at Camber Sands.
Our volunteers were already at the boathouse giving a tour to a group of local scouts meaning we launched within minutes.
Teams from RNLI Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station and HM Coastguard Rye Bay were also tasked with
Our rescue boat and crew arrived on scene around 10 minutes later, by which time the casualty had been retrieved from the water and was in the custody of emergency services. With a safe conclusion all crews were stood down.

29 June 2025 - Three shouts in one day

At 11.17am we were tasked by UK Coastguard to a report of two casualties who had been cut off by the tide while walking at Winchelsea Beach. With a small dog and one casualty not being a strong swimmer, they were soon concerned about their safety and called 999.
As we were at base for training, we could provide an immediate response and were on scene with the casualties within minutes. They were taken on board and brought to the slip to dry out and rest before we drove them back to their car.
At 13.05 as we were debriefing, we were tasked to a missing child at Camber. We relaunched and made way, but were stood down when the child was located.
We were immediately tasked again to Mayday involving a 28ft motor cruiser with two persons on board, which had run out of fuel approximately one mile off Rye Harbour. As our volunteer crew were on the water, they proceeded to the casualty vessel. A crew was placed on board to conduct a welfare and safety check before the vessel was placed under tow to safe moorings at Rye Harbour.

26 June 2025 - Tasked to two casualties stuck on the cliffs at Fairlight

At 11.46pm we were tasked by UK Coastguard to a report of two casualties who were stuck on the cliffs at Fairlight.
Our volunteer crew assembled at the boathouse within a few minutes and prepared for launch. With a favourable high tide and calm conditions, our rescue boat was launched swiftly and proceeded to the location to conduct a search.
Units from HM Coastguard – Hastings and HM Coastguard- Bexhill were positioned along the top of the cliffs alongside the police.
However, the location of the causalities meant extraction by sea was the safest and most efficient method.
The two casualties were located and taken on board the rescue boat where our crew conducted welfare checks before bringing them back to Pett Slip.
A great result in a multi-agency response.
The two young casualties had embarked on a walk from Pett to Hastings believing there was a simple path. In darkness and with an incoming tide they soon realised they were in difficulty. They made the right decision to call for help. It highlights just how important it is to check tide times before making the attempt to walk under the cliffs and never to do it in darkness – it is treacherous with multiple hazards.

21 June 2025 - Tasked to a missing child at Camber Sands

At 13.52 we were tasked by UK Coastguard to a report of a missing child at Camber Sands.
As most of our volunteers were running the BBQ at Fairfest 2025 it didn’t take long to assemble at the boathouse.
Despite being low tide which means a longer launch time, our volunteer were on the water within 20 minutes and proceeded to Camber. Teams from RNLI Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station, HM Coastguard Rye Bay and HM Coastguard Romney Marsh were also tasked.
Whilst en route the positive news arrived that the child had been located and all teams were stood down.
After washing down and preparing for service, our volunteers returned to Fairfest to continue the BBQ!

6 June 2025 - Tasked to a vulnerable person in the water at Hastings

At 14.22 we were tasked to a report of a vulnerable adult in the water at Hastings.

Our volunteer crew assembled at the boathouse and prepared for launch.

However, before the rescue boat was on the water, the casualty was taken safely to shore and our team were stood down.

 

 

23 May 2025 - Double tasking to casualties under the cliff and a broken down yacht

At approximately 4.30pm we were involved in a double tasking.
 
A call from the public reported two persons who were in difficulty under the cliffs at Fairlight, one with an injured ankle. We assembled at the boathouse and were asked to standby. HM Coastguard – Hastings were tasked to locate the casualties and determine if a land extraction was possible.
 
While at the boathouse, we were alerted to a 24 foot yacht suffering engine failure approximately 3 miles south of the Pett Slip.
 
We were tasked by HM Coastguard and launched on service. After locating the casualty vessel, it was placed under tow and a welfare check was conducted on the two crew. Our volunteer crew towed the yacht to Rye Harbour to safe mooring.
 
Meanwhile, the Coastguard team on land had requested lifeboat assistance. Our secondary boat, the Arancia surf RIB, launched on service and headed to the casualty location. RNLI Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station were also tasked and both boats met on scene.
 
Our Arancia crew extracted the two casualties and transferred them to Rye Lifeboat who brought them back to Pett Slip.
 
A successful outcome for all casualties and a testament to the strength of our volunteer crew base and versatility of our assets.

13 April 2025 - Tasking to a casualty yacht two miles south of Fairlight

During our Sunday training our team were listening to comms and heard a PAN PAN call from a nearby yacht in difficulty in the Fairlight area. As we were on station and Search and Rescue capable, we called UK Coastguard to ask if they would like us to launch on service.
With the official tasking confirmed, and our crew already prepared, we were launched within a few minutes. The casualty vessel with two crew was approximately 1.5 miles south of Fairlight Glen, had suffered engine failure and was unable to deploy sails.
In a choppy sea, our rescue boat soon located the vessel and placed one crew on board to assess welfare as one individual was reported as having health conditions. A secure tow was established and our rescue boat towed the vessel to its mooring in Rye Harbour.
The journey to safety took around an hour where our crew adjusted the tow formation to guide the boat safely into its mooring.
Once the vessel and casualties were secure, our rescue boat made the return journey to Pett Slip – for washing down, refuelling and preparing for our next tasking. The video shows the fast ashore recovery in a lumpy sea – a very precise and skilled operation.
Another professional and efficient operation by our brilliant team – the swiftness is thanks to our team listening to marine communications, being aware of the situation and calling in to UK Coastguard to offer assistance.

3 April 2025 - Tasked to two missing males on Fairlight Cliffs

On a shout.
At 01:50 we were tasked by UK Coastguard to a report of two males lost between Fairlight and Pett Level.
Despite the early hour, our crew quickly assembled at the boathouse and launched approximately 20 minutes after being paged.
With the what3words position, our volunteer crew were able to quickly identify their location – west of Cliff End. The casualties were using their mobile phone lights to indicate their position and crews from HM Coastguard Rye Bay and HM Coastguard – Hastings were on the cliff.
With a rising tide and in complete darkness, the casualties were naturally concerned for their safety and moved up the cliff.
Our crew went ashore to assist the casualties on to the boat and returned them to the PLIRB Boathouse to much needed hot drinks and snacks.
A great result for our team and a safe ending for two young people out on an adventure. A reminder that the shoreline and cliffs can be a very different and disorientating environment after dark.

8 March 2025 - Double tasking to casualties in difficulty under Fairlight Cliffs

At 18.30 we were tasked by UKCG to a report of a single female who had become lost on a walk from Rye to Hastings.
As we were local and about to run our quiz in Fairlight, our volunteer crew were at the boathouse in under five minutes and launched shortly after.
The crew were given a what3words location as the casualty had given the reference to UK Coastguard before her phone lost charge.
With a precise location, the team located the casualty almost immediately. Crew were deployed to shore to assess and support her extraction to the boat. RNLI Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station were also tasked to assist – and provided essential relay communications.
On the return to the slip, our crew noticed lights flashing under the cliffs – clearly a repetitive action to gain attention. The crew called out and ascertained that there were three people in need of assistance.
Swiftly the team handed the female casualty into the care of our shore crew and immediately returned to the location of the three casualties – three young lads who had been looking for a spot to camp out for the night but had got lost. They did the right thing and signal for help.
Our brilliant crew got all three lads on board and returned them to the slip to wait for their parents to collect them.
Volunteers from HM Coastguard Rye Bay were tasked to provide vital shore support.
Thank you to our amazing volunteers and our neighbouring teams – working together is vital.
A fantastic outcome from a double tasking. The crew even made it back to the quiz!

21 February 2025 - Tasked to reports of walkers at risk of being cut off under the cliffs

At 15.15 we were tasked by UK Coastguard to a report of a group of walkers heading towards Hastings under the cliff – and out of sight from the Pett Slip.
Although the first informant noted that the group were not in any visible difficulty, they were aware that high water was only 45 minutes away and concerned they may be cut off by the incoming tide.
Our volunteers assembled and were launched within 20 minutes into choppy waters. They were tasked to conduct a search from the Pett Slip to Rock-a-Nore.
Teams from HM Coastguard Rye Bay and HM Coastguard – Hastings were also on scene to carry out shore line searches.
After searching for approximately 40 minutes, no casualties were sighted and UKCG stood all teams down.

18 February 2025 - Tasked to two missing children between Rye Harbour and Camber

At 14.22 we were tasked by UK Coastguard to an incident involving two children who had gone missing between the east side of the River Rother and Camber.
Our volunteer team were gathered at the boathouse, briefed and launched on service within 20 minutes.
The crew were quickly on scene with the instruction to conduct a parallel search along the shoreline to Camber.
After receiving confirmation that the two children had been located safe and well, the crew were stood down and returned to base.
In this cold weather it is vital to be able to respond quickly. Our local volunteer crew base ensures we can gather a full crew in just a few minutes.

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