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Shoreham RNLI rescues diver with suspected decompression sickness

Lifeboats News Release

The volunteer crew of Shoreham RNLI were tasked in the early evening of Saturday 21 June to help a diver who had been taken ill with suspected decompression sickness while on a dive trip near Rampion Wind Farm, south of Shoreham.

Shoreham RNLI volunteer crew preparing for a casualty to be airlifted from all-weather lifeboat.

RNLI/ShorehamRNLI

Shoreham RNLI volunteer crew preparing for a casualty to be airlifted from all-weather lifeboat
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At 6.10pm, Shoreham RNLI's all-weather lifeboat, the Enid Collett, was launched and quickly on the scene. The casualty was transferred to the lifeboat, where the crew provided medical assistance while waiting for the HM Coastguard rescue 175 helicopter. The casualty was then airlifted from the lifeboat and taken to hospital.

Lifeboat second coxswain Simon Tugwell said: "This was an excellent team effort by all those involved to provide swift medical assistance to the casualty. The crew were able to put into practice the skills they refreshed on a recent training scenario with the coastguard helicopter, and they really showed their knowledge and ability to help the casualty involved."

The lifeboat returned to the station at 8pm and was washed down, refuelled and ready for service again at 8.27pm.

Notes to editors

Contacts: For more information on this news release, please contact:

Liz Zachary, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
or Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager, [email protected]

Key facts about Shoreham Harbour RNLI: Shoreham Harbour RNLI has been saving lives at sea since 1865. Home to a Tamar class all-weather lifeboat, the Enid Collett, and a D class inshore lifeboat, the Joan Woodland, the crew respond to, on average, 80 to 90 shouts a year, covering an area from Brighton Marina to Worthing Pier. The station is run by around 100 volunteers who include a lifeboat operations manager, launch authorities, boat and shore crew, an administrative officer, press officers, fundraisers, shop staff, a visits team, and water safety advisers. No experience is needed to join as a volunteer as comprehensive training is provided.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Liz Zachary
Lifeboat Press Officer, Shoreham Harbour

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