Shoreham’s all-weather lifeboat crew were kept on their toes Thursday afternoon after being tasked three times in quick succession.

Their first launch was to assist a 16-metre powerboat suffering a machinery failure approximately four miles south of Hove. With two people on board, the stricken vessel was safely towed to Brighton Marina.

Shortly after returning to station, the crew were redeployed to investigate a report of an object spotted in the water off Brighton. A full search was carried out, but nothing was found.

As that search concluded, the lifeboat was diverted again — this time to reports of a missing child seen entering the water off Brighton beach. With the tide low, the crew launched their inflatable Y boat to search closer to the shore, with support from Brighton Lifeboat.

Thankfully, the crew were stood down after it was confirmed the report was a false alarm and there was no missing child.

Shoreham Lifeboat Station reminds the public:
If you see someone or a vessel in trouble in the water, always call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.