RNLI Selsey Lifeboat

12/06/2026

🚨 TUG OF WAR IS BACK! 🚨

After a 6-year absence, the Tug of War returns to Selsey Lifeboat Week 2026! 💪🏆

📅 Saturday 1st August
👥 Teams of 6 needed

Calling all pubs, clubs, businesses, sports teams, friends and families – gather your strongest six and enter for your chance to become the 2026 Champions!

Over the years, the title has been claimed by some legendary local teams:

🏆 Selsey Fishermen
🏆 Selsey Bill Pub
🏆 Fisherman's Joy
🏆 Hugh Gunning Racing
🏆 Natures Way Foods
🏆 Selsey Lifeboat Crew
🏆 Pontins Pullers
🏆 Seal Island Tyres
🏆 Stonecold Training
🏆 Lifeboat Inn
🏆 Selsey Tradesmen
🏆 Selsey Royal British Legion

Now it's time to add a new name to the trophy...

❓Who will win the title in 2026❓️

Get your team together and prepare to pull for glory!

To register your team and for the full rules please email: [email protected]

A huge thank you to S FABS Southern Fabrications for sponsoring this event and helping bring this popular competition back to Selsey Lifeboat Week. 👏



The Seal The Hopp Inn The Victory Club, Selsey. Natures Way Foods Hugh Gunning Racing Seal Island Tyres The Selsey Club The Joy Selsey The Neptune The Crown, Selsey The Lifeboat Inn Selsey Authentic Page

10/06/2026

We are looking for Volunteers to join our Shop, Visits and Fundraising teams - there are a wide variety of Roles available with varying time commitments.

If you are interested, we're holding an Open Day on Tuesday 30 June between 11am and 3pm

Just come along to Selsey Lifeboat Station on the day and find out more.

Discover engagement volunteer opportunities at Selsey Lifeboat Station. Come to our open day to explore fundraising, retail, and visitor experience roles. Meet the team!

08/06/2026

We have now opened our registration process for this year's Selsey Lifeboat Day Raft Race 2026

🚤🌊 Selsey Lifeboat Raft Race – Rules & Information 🌊🚤

Sunday 2nd August 2026 1300 prompt

Think you’ve got what it takes to build, paddle, and (hopefully) not sink? Here’s everything you need to know before race day:

🛠️ Raft Build Rules

Rafts must be homemade – no pre-built boats, kayaks, or canoes
Must be powered by paddles only (no motors or mechanical propulsion)
No sharp edges or unsafe materials
Must be sturdy enough to safely carry your crew

👥 Crew Requirements

All participants must be able to swim confidently
Buoyancy aids/life jackets must be worn at all times on the water
No alcohol or drugs before or during the race
Follow all instructions from safety crews and marshals

Full rules can be found at
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W-Sor3kTF7VWsJUrS8LmI75_z4gcmpEi/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=109105698793568095346&rtpof=true&sd=true

Many thanks to Owen Conservatories Ltd sponsoring this years race.

Follow the link below to event brite to register
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/selsey-rnli-raft-race-2026-tickets-1989539204317?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

06/06/2026

Our 165 Open Day (10am to 3.30pm) continues despite the weather - we’ve found room inside the Boathouse for the different activities so we are pleased to offer:
- tours of our Shannon Lifeboat 13-20
- the Inshore Lifeboat is on the forecourt for viewing
- Chaplins Shake Shop are in the boat hall with their range of drinks and Potters are open in the car park
- Stride & Son Auctioneers And Valuers are doing valuations of objects you might like to bring along - three objects valued for a donation of £5
- the The Selsey Molls will be singing about 1.15pm and The Selsey Shantymen about 2pm - both in the Inshore part of the Boathouse
- Facepainting in the main Boathall with AnitabCreative - donations welcome

05/06/2026

On 5 June 1861 the Lifeboat 'Friend' was brought to Selsey from Chichester starting 165 years of Selsey Lifeboats. We're marking the occasion by having an Open Day tomorrow (Saturday 6 June from 10am to 3.30pm) when you'll be able to tour inside our Shannon Lifeboat 13-20 'Denise and Eric' - please see the separate post for full details of the Day.

With thanks to Jonathan Holmes we're pleased to be able to share a video showing the Selsey Lifeboat launching in 1930 from the 'new boathouse' originally built in 1925 and re-built in 1927 to house the motor-powered lifeboat Canadian Pacific (ON 714). Canadian Pacific (ON 714) would be lost in a fire on 18 June 1937, whilst being refurbished at the Groves and Guttridge boatyard.

01/06/2026

29 May 2026

Selsey inshore lifeboat launched after reports of two persons cut off by the tide

The UK Coastguards received an emergency call saying two persons were cut off by the tide at the entrance to Pagham harbour

The RNLI inshore lifeboat (ILB) launched at 10.21pm on Friday 29 May and made best speed to the area. Selsey and Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team(CRT)were also tasked.

The ILB arrived on scene at 10.28pm and quickly identified two persons on the shingle bank.

At 10.32pm the ILB crewmembers were able to confirm these two persons had just arrived at the position and were intending to continue fishing all night and were aware of the tidal conditions.

The ILB reported this to the Coastguards whilst the ILB continued searching for further persons who might be cut off.

At 10.39pm the crewmembers spotted flashing lights and after heading towards the lights found two persons with fishing rods.

Both person were fit and well and were taken aboard the ILB to be transferred to the beach where the CRT’s and the first informant were waiting. The weather on scene was calm conditions with good visibility.

The casualties were dropped off at 10.47pm and left in the care of the CRT units, the ILB was released by the Coastguard to return to Selsey.

After arriving back at station at 10.59pm the ILB was recovered straight away.

The ILB crew tonight were
Helmsman Sam Corcoran-Smith,
Will Moir,
Turner James.

Shorecrew:
Head launcher Richard Brady,
Driver Max Wiseman,
Mark Penny,
Keith Furlong.

29/05/2026

SELSEY LIFEBOAT WEEK PROGRAMMES OUT NOW!

📅 Sunday 26th July – Sunday 2nd August

Programmes are now available from:

📍 Country Gardens – Selsey High Street
📍 Attic Attack – Selsey High Street
📍 Rudwicks – Selsey High Street
📍 Allsorts – Selsey High Street
📍 T & T Fruits – East Beach, Selsey
📍 Selsey Lifeboat Shop – Lifeboat Station
📍 Visits Room – Lifeboat Station

🎉 Fun for the whole family! 🎉

This year’s Lifeboat Week includes:

🚤 Lifeboat Day
🎪 Stalls on The Green
🎶 Live Entertainment Stage
🛶 Raft Race
🎡 Fun Fair
🎣 Fishing Competition
🐶 Fun Dog Show
💪 Tug Of War
🚁 Drone Show
🎆 Fireworks
🏁 Race Night
🧁 The Great Lifeboat Week Bake Off
🕺 Old Skool Disco Nite
💷 Cash Bingo Night
🎤 Karaoke Night
🗺️ Walking Treasure Hunt
❓ Quiz Night
🚓 999 Services Day
…and much, much more!

Come along, support your local lifeboat crew and help Selsey Lifeboat Station continue to Save Lives at Sea.
Selsey Lifeboat Week 2026

28/05/2026

🚨 SAVE THE DATE! 🚨

Join us at the RNLI Selsey Station Open Day on Saturday 6th June from 10:00am – 3:30pm as we celebrate an incredible 165 years since the first lifeboat arrived at Selsey in 1861! 🎈

Bring the whole family along for a fantastic day of fun, history, and community spirit, including:

⚓ Look inside our Shannon Class Lifeboat
🎉 Meet Stormy Stan
🎨 Face painting
🎯 Games & challenges
🎶 Live entertainment from The Selsey Molls & The Selsey Shantymen
💎 Charity valuations by Stride & Son (10:00am–1:00pm)

Come and support the lifesaving work of the RNLI while enjoying a brilliant day by the sea ❤️

📍 RNLI Selsey Lifeboat Station
📅 Saturday 6th June
⏰ 10:00am – 3:30pm

We can’t wait to welcome you aboard!

165 Years of Selsey Lifeboat Station Open Day

28/05/2026

Fancy spending your summer on the beach? The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is on the lookout for new lifeguards at Southsea, Littlehampton and Bognor Regis beaches and they’re inviting you to give it a go at a taster session this weekend.

On Sunday 31 May, RNLI lifeguards from West Sussex and Hampshire are inviting you to join them in Chichester for a beach lifeguarding taster session. The session will begin at 1400 and will wrap up at around 1530. If you’re interested in becoming a lifeguard at Southsea, Littlehampton or Bognor Regis this summer, this is your chance to see what it’s all about.

A word from Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Sydney Horsted

‘My name is Sydney and I am the Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for West Sussex & Hampshire. We are looking for people in search of a summer job that like the idea of working on the beach, learning lifesaving skills and working as part of a brilliant team of people. We have vacancies on the beaches of Southsea and Littlehampton/Bognor Regis.

To become a beach lifeguard, you need to be 16+ years old and be able to pass our swim tests. You can find out more about the requirements here: RNLI lifeguard requirements and training

To work as an RNLI beach lifeguard, you’ll also need a recognised beach lifeguarding qualification. For those who don’t yet have one, the RNLI is running a full Beach Lifeguard Course from 12-16 June in Chichester. Once qualified, successful applicants will be required to attend an induction between the 4 – 8 July, with patrols starting from the 11 July.

How to sign up

Does this sound like something you’d like to do?

Sign up for the taster session today by following the link here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/pTsgHv12v8

Upon signing up, someone will be in contact regarding the exact location and where to meet.

If you have any questions or would like further details, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

25/05/2026

Saturday 23 May at 2.50pm the ILB launched to find a seven metre vessel that had earlier reported running out of fuel approximately one mile off shore from the Medmerry nature reserve west of Selsey Bill.

The Coastguard had broadcast messages requesting any vessels that could assist the vessel but with no response after several calls. The vessel had three adults and two children aboard.

The ILB was quickly on scene after being conned onto their position by Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team(CRT).

After consultation between the lifeboat crew and the skipper of the boat the vessel was towed closer to shore at the Seal Bay Resort where the skipper was going to replenish his fuel supply from the nearest garage.

After making the vessel secure to a local boat club marker buoy the skipper swam the short distance ashore and spoke to the boat club who agreed to supply him with some fuel.

At 3.40pm this was reported to the Coastguard who immediately tasked the ILB two West Wittering beach to assist the lifeguards in a search for a missing 9 year old girl.

Selsey CRT and Hayling Lifeboat were also tasked. At 4.37pm the Coastguard reported the girl had been found safe and well and all units were stood down.

The ILB returned to station at 4.57pm and was recovered straight away.

ILB crew:
Helmsman Will Moir,
Craig Sergeant,
Neil Hopcraft,

Shorecrew:
Max Wiseman,
Richard Brady,
Mark Penny,
Rob Archibald,
James Albrey,
Turner James,

The vessel out of fuel was seen passing the station on way back to Littlehampton but only got as far as Middleton on Sea before running out again. Littlehampton lifeboat went and towed the vessel into Littlehampton harbour.