Working together to save lives - our Foreshore Team joins major rescue exercise
Emergency responders from across Littlehampton came together on Tuesday evening for a multi-agency training exercise on the River Arun, designed to strengthen teamwork, improve communication and enhance emergency response procedures.
The exercise brought together RNLI Lifeguards, Coastguard Rescue Teams, Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station, South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb), Littlehampton Harbour Board and Arun District Council's Foreshore Team. Working together, they practised coordinated rescue operations and gained a greater understanding of each organisation's roles and capabilities.
Many members of the public stopped to watch as the realistic scenario unfolded. The exercise simulated a collision between two vessels at the entrance to Littlehampton Harbour, with multiple casualties entering the water, several injuries and two people reported missing. Responders carried out searches, water rescues, casualty triage and emergency handovers while maintaining clear communication between teams.
RNLI lifeguards were first on scene, raising the alarm and beginning rescues before support arrived. Lifeboat crews, Coastguard teams and ambulance staff then worked together to locate missing casualties, rescue people from the water and provide treatment on shore.
Foreshore Officer Charlotte Thwaites and Beach Patrol Officers Jeanette Fereday and Gary Rashbrook represented Arun District Council. The Foreshore Team supported partner agencies and assisted with moving casualties safely up the beach for treatment.
Exercises like this are vital in helping emergency services and coastal partners work seamlessly together, ensuring they are prepared to respond quickly and effectively when lives are at risk.