RNLI Southend Lifeboat

23/08/2026

Southend-on-Sea RNLI volunteers were tasked by HM Dover Coastguard at 4.45pm Sunday 23 August to a 999-call reporting five children out by the waterline at the Shoebury Boom, Shoebury East Beach.

With the tide rising, Southend RNLI volunteers launched the charity’s hovercraft H-004 Vera Ravine at 5pm and headed at top speed to the reported location at Shoeburyness.

National Coastwatch Southend and HM Coastguard Southend On Sea had eyes on the casualties.

Arriving on scene approximately half a mile offshore on the waters edge, the RNLI volunteers found the five children in good health. The casualties were taken onboard the hovercraft and given a welfare check.

A little cold the children were taken to shore where their parents and HM Coastguard Southend-on-Sea (Southend CRT) were waiting. After further health assessment and some safety advice from Southend CRT, all services were stood down.

Southend RNLI volunteer Commander Jonathan Charnock said: ‘Southend has a vast tidal flat area, at low tide whilst the water can be seen it can be over 1 mile from the shore. East Beach has the added danger of the MoD firing range to the east of the Boom.

‘The children were found on their return to shore however they could have come into real danger quickly. With no way of calling for help, improper footwear and an unfamiliarity with the area today’s call could have had a very different outcome.

‘If you do go onto the beaches of Southend, check out the local area, know where you can and can’t go. Tell someone your plan and a time, properly prepare and have a way of calling for help.’

Southend RNLI hovercraft returned to station at 5.45pm to be refuelled, rehoused and made ready for service.

If you see someone in trouble or get into trouble by the coast or at sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

If you are planning a visit to the coast, always check the weather and tide times for the local area.

Photos, Southend RNLI/Southend RNLI hovercraft Vera Ravine launches into service.

18/08/2026

Southend RNLI volunteer Tyler Bonham completed his first operational callout as a D-class helm on Saturday afternoon 15 August, just weeks after passing his assessment at the end of July.
https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2026/august/18/first-shout-as-d-class-helm-for-southend-rnli-volunteer

Dover Coastguard tasked the Southend RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew following reports of two teenagers who appeared to be drifting out to sea in an inflatable boat with an ebbing tide and offshore breeze near Chalkwell.

Launching the inshore D-class lifeboat D-904 Sue Sorotos, the volunteer crew arrived on scene in just five minutes. Upon contact with the casualties, both teenagers confirmed they were uninjured and capable of rowing back to the beach without assistance. Southend RNLI crew stood by and monitored the pair closely until they safely reached the shore.

Southend RNLI volunteer Helm Tyler Bonham said: ‘Taking the helm on my first shout was a fantastic experience. I had an incredible crew alongside me, we stood by to monitor the two casualties on the drifting inflatable until they safely self-recovered to shore.

‘It made for a busy day as I headed straight from Southend RNLI station to Gravesend RNLI station for a night shift in my full-time role as a London Commander’.

The successful tasking marks another milestone for Tyler, who adds D-class helm to his existing volunteer operational qualifications as a B-class helm and hovercraft pilot.

When taking part in water activities: Check the local weather and tides, always wear a buoyancy aid, and avoid going in an offshore breeze.

If you see someone in trouble or find yourself in trouble by the coast or at sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

11/08/2026

Southend RNLI volunteers Dan and Tyler feature in this weeks episode of Not on your telly. All at sea.
Well done guys, very entertaining.

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 4 of Not on Your Telly - a weekly ente...

09/08/2026

There was a great turnout for the Southend RNLI bi monthly volunteer crew team building social evening.
Combined, more than 200 years lifesaving experience. Fortunately the pagers stayed quiet for the night.

Ten Green Bottles Leigh-on-Sea hosted the fish and chip supper which saw 25 volunteers enjoying the fine August weather along with some good laughs, a few drinks and recounting some incredible nautical stories.

Team building is a vital element for lifeboat crew, knowing and trusting the people you work with in sometimes very demanding and dangerous situations.

Have you got what it takes to be RNLI lifeboat crew?
Southend RNLI lifeboat will be recruiting this Autumn.

If you see someone in trouble by the coast or at sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

03/08/2026

The hot weather is due to continue for a while. Stay safe when walking out to the tidal exposed sand and mud flats with the outgoing tide.
Follow a few simple steps to ensure a safe return to the shore.

Take a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.
Check the time of high and low tide for the area and day.
Set an alarm on your phone for 10 minutes before low tide.
Go with someone else.
Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.
Start making your way back to shore before or at low tide.
Wear suitable footware to protect your feet from sharp shells and objects.
If you get into trouble, or see someone in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Enjoy a safe walk.

28/07/2026

Southend-on-Sea RNLI Atlantic 85 lifeboat Julia & Angus Wright returned to station Monday 27 July after a three month refit at the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Centre, East Cowes, IOW.
The charity's lifeboat B-885 Julia & Angus Wright started lifesaving duties at Southend RNLI in 2016. After her intensive refit B-885 is ready for the next 10 years lifesaving service with the volunteers at Southend-on-Sea RNLI Lifeboat.


Thanks to Keith Carroll and the Inshore Lifeboat Centre, East Cowes. Music/Neozilla - Inspirational

21/07/2026

The sounds of the sea brought big returns for local causes this spring as the annual Leigh Lions’ Old Leigh Shanty Festival raised £4,000 to support local maritime heritage and RNLI life-saving operations in the community.

Organized for every May by the Leigh-on-Sea Lions Club, the popular weekend event drew over 20 sea shanty bands from across the country to perform at Old Leigh, bringing vibrant music, tradition, and crowds to the town.

Proceeds from the festival are split between two deeply cherished local organizations: Southend RNLI Lifeboat Station and the Endeavour Trust Leigh-on-Sea.

Following the festival's success, event organizer and Leigh Lions Club member Tony Prior visited Southend RNLI Lifeboat Station to present the volunteer crew with the funds raised. Joining Tony for the presentation were fellow members of the Hoy Shanty Crew (Leigh Lions’ sea shanty band) who handed over a cheque for £2,000 to support the station's life-saving work.

Southend RNLI volunteer Fundraising Chair Tony Clarke said: ‘We are immensely grateful to the Leigh-on-Sea Lions Club and their band Hoy Shanty Crew for their phenomenal support. Receiving this incredible donation from the total raised makes a huge difference, the funds help ensure our volunteer crew at Southend RNLI remain fully equipped and ready to save lives at sea.’

The remaining £2,000 will be presented to the Endeavour Trust to assist in their ongoing efforts to maintain and preserve Leigh's famous Dunkirk Little Ship, the Endeavour.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the charity that saves lives at sea, powered by generous public donations and legacies.

14/07/2026

Looking for a volunteer role with some of the best views in Essex while helping save lives at sea?

https://volunteer.rnli.org/opportunities/119598-shop-volunteer-shop-volunteer-southend-on-sea-2026-07-10

Southend-on-Sea RNLI lifeboat team seek enthusiastic volunteers to join the crew at our retail shop—located right at the very end of Southend Pier!

If you love meeting new people, want to support a lifesaving charity, and don't mind a beautiful pier-train ride to work, we would love to hear from you.

Why you’ll enjoy volunteering with us:
• Make a real difference: Every souvenir sold helps fund our local lifesavers and keep our waters safe.
• The unique location: Work surrounded by the Thames Estuary with fresh sea air and stunning views.
• Meet great people: Become part of a welcoming, dedicated community team and chat with visitors from around the world.

Become a part of the lifesaving team at Southend-on-Sea RNLI Lifeboat.
For full details click on the link below or visit the shop and speak to one of our shop volunteers.
https://volunteer.rnli.org/opportunities/119598-shop-volunteer-shop-volunteer-southend-on-sea-2026-07-10

We are One Crew, Southend-on-Sea RNLI Lifeboat. Saving lives at sea since 1879.

If you see someone in trouble by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

12/07/2026

Southend RNLI hovercraft crew rescues distressed dog with minutes to spare.

Southend RNLI volunteer crew were tasked by HM Coastguard at 4:42 PM on Friday 10 July, following reports of people and a dog trapped in the mud on the south side of the Thames Estuary. The station’s inshore rescue hovercraft, H-004 Vera Ravine, was launched as quickly as possible.

While on route, the hovercraft crew received a critical update from HM Coastguard stating that one person was trapped deep in the mud elevating the situation due to a rising tide. However, upon arriving at the scene, HM Medway Coastguard Rescue Team confirmed that the individual was safely ashore, but their pet dog (Benji) remained in imminent danger.

Southend RNLI volunteers located the highly distressed dog struggling in the rapidly rising water, operating under time pressure the hovercraft crew successfully rescued Benji from the water wrapped him in a blanket and transported him to the safety of shore, where the owner and Kent rescue teams were waiting.

Southend RNLI volunteer hovercraft commander Dave Hopper said: ‘We take every shout very seriously, and this time we had the best outcome, getting Benji safely back to his owners. A nice day on the coast can easily turn into a pet on the loose or an owner getting into difficulty trying to help their pet.

‘Where possible check the tide times and type of ground before letting dogs off the lead, we have large areas of soft mud and sand around the estuary and creeks. If your dog gets into trouble, call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.’

Southend RNLI hovercraft faced some delay during the initial launch due to exceptionally heavy traffic on Southend seafront.

Unlike standard emergency services, the charity’s lifeboat volunteers are not blue light services and must safely navigate to the station in their personal vehicles when the pager goes off. In life-or-death scenarios every second counts, the crew noted that another minute or two delay could have resulted in a tragic outcome for Benji.

The RNLI urges the public to remain mindful of lifeboat volunteers displaying a brightly coloured Lifeboat-crew-on-call message in their window screen in congestion near lifeboat stations, as delayed response times can directly impact the success of rescues at sea.

Going on a trip to the coast? Take a mobile phone in a waterproof case. If you get into trouble or see someone in trouble by the coast or at sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Photo Southend RNLI/ Benji with Southend RNLI volunteer Tyler.