Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team

02/09/2026

Last night, the team joined the RNLI, Ambulance Service and a number of other partner agencies for a multi-agency exercise on the river.

The exercise simulated a vessel collision, testing how effectively the different services could work together to manage the incident and care for those involved.

RNLI lifeboats and lifeguards rescued casualties from the water before handing them over to Coastguard teams for casualty care and assessment, followed by handover to the Ambulance Service for onward treatment.

The exercise also included a mass-casualty scenario, challenging all agencies involved to test their triage, casualty management and handover procedures.

Exercises like this provide a valuable opportunity to test our plans, strengthen inter-agency relationships and ensure we’re ready to work together effectively should a real incident occur.

A huge thank you to all the crews, volunteers and partner agencies who took part and helped make the exercise a success.

RNLI
Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station
Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team
HM Coastguard Shoreham
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Arun District Council
Littlehampton Harbour Board
Sussex Police
Solent Coastguard

📷 Credits please see individual photographs.

31/08/2026

Tomorrow evening (01.09.2026) you may see a large presence of emergency services personnel in and around the River Arun, Littlehampton.
HM Coastguard alongside the RNLI, Ambulance Service and other partner agencies will be conducting a large scale incident in the river. This is due to start around 18:30.

We welcome people who want to watch the simulated incident, however for your safety we do ask that you remain clear of the area where we will be working. This will predominantly be the area around Arun Parade and the Coastguard Station.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team
HM Coastguard Shoreham
Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station
Littlehampton Harbour Board
Arun District Council
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

25/08/2026

Water sports using parawings are becoming more popular. Here’s some great safety tips from our colleagues at Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team.

PARAWING SEA SAFETY MESSAGE

Planning to head out on a parawing?

Please remember that conditions at sea can change quickly, and a parawing can take you further offshore than you may initially expect.

Before setting off:

• Let someone know where you’re going and when you'll be back.

• Inform the Coastguard on the non emergency number, of your plan and intended passage, particularly if travelling offshore or undertaking a longer trip.

• Maybe even leave a note on your car windscreen with your plans as that is somewhere we will also search.

• Check the weather, tides and sea conditions.

• Make sure you have suitable safety equipment and a means of communication.

• Keep an eye on your position and be prepared to return to shore if conditions deteriorate.

If you get into difficulty at sea, contact the Coastguard and raise the alarm early. Don't wait until the situation becomes an emergency.

Please stay safe, look out for each other and enjoy the water responsibly.

Solent Coastguard Non Emergency Number: 02392 552100

Emergency Number: 999 Coastguard or VHF Channel 16

24/08/2026

We’ve been a little quieter on here recently, but that certainly doesn’t mean things have been quiet on the coast!

Last month, Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team were the third busiest Coastguard team in the country, responding to a total of 43 incidents throughout the month.

These ranged from missing children and reports of objects in the water, through to searches, water rescues and other serious incidents. It’s been an exceptionally busy period for the team, and we’re incredibly proud of the commitment and professionalism shown by everyone involved.

We’ve also been busy supporting a number of public events. The team attended Armed Forces Day in June and the Littlehampton Waterfront Festival, while some of our members have also supported the wider area at On The Beach Festival and Brighton Pride.

At these events, our teams spend their evenings helping to keep beach users safe and remaining available to provide a rapid response should an incident occur. They’re also a great opportunity for us to meet and engage with members of the public in a way we don’t always get the chance to during operational call-outs.

And, of course, it’s not all work! These events give the team an opportunity to have some fun together while representing HM Coastguard and supporting our local communities.

Alongside our operational deployments, we’ve also been keeping up with our training and working alongside our partner agencies. Training and joint working are an important part of what we do, helping us to maintain our skills, build strong relationships and ensure we’re ready to respond when needed.

Remember, for emergencies on the coast or out to sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

15/08/2026

13/08/2026

We know that people are keen to enjoy the sunshine as the hot weather continues into the weekend. Some simple safety tips can help to keep you and your friends and family safe at the coast this summer.

Check the weather forecast and tide times before setting off ☀️
Keep away from unstable cliff edges and cliff bases 🪨
Swim at a lifeguarded beaches, and follow beach guidance and flags 🏊
Enter the sea slowly - cold waters can prompt cold water shock, making you gasp uncontrollably 🥶
Watch out for mud. If you get stuck, lean back to spread your weight and call for help 🛟
Don’t use inflatables at the seaside, and avoid watersports when winds blow out to sea 💨
Make sure you tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll return 🕕

Carry a fully charged mobile phone in a waterproof pouch 📱
If you or others are in trouble at the coast, don't delay. Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard ☎️

We know that people are keen to enjoy the sunshine as the hot weather continues into the weekend. Some simple safety tips can help to keep you and your friends and family safe at the coast this summer.

Check the weather forecast and tide times before setting off ☀️

Keep away from unstable cliff edges and cliff bases 🪨

Swim at a lifeguarded beaches, and follow beach guidance and flags 🏊

Enter the sea slowly - cold waters can prompt cold water shock, making you gasp uncontrollably 🥶

Watch out for mud. If you get stuck, lean back to spread your weight and call for help 🛟

Don’t use inflatables at the seaside, and avoid watersports when winds blow out to sea 💨

Make sure you tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll return 🕕

Carry a fully charged mobile phone in a waterproof pouch 📱

If you or others are in trouble at the coast, don't delay. Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard ☎️

11/08/2026

Imagine a busy beach day with your family.

One moment your child is beside you, the next they’re out of sight.
It’s a scary thought, but a few steps can make it easier to find each other quickly.

Free beach safety wristbands are available to order from our web shop, and some beaches may also have them available.

In a coastal emergency, or if you can't find your child suddenly, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard, you can also find the nearest lifeguard if there are some on duty.