Spirited first shout for new lifeboat at Littlehampton RNLI
Spirit of Fidelity, a D-Class inshore lifeboat, went on service at Littlehampton lifeboat station on Wednesday 7 May and was soon called out on its first shout – to assist in the recovery of a small motor vessel that was being pummelled by the waves.
Spirit of Fidelity, lifeboat D-902, arrived at the Littlehampton RNLI boathouse 7 May 2025 replacing Ray of Hope which has been retired from the station after a stalwart service of over 10 years. Placed immediately on service the new lifeboat has been familiarising itself, under the guidance of its volunteer crews, with the River Arun and the nearshore coastal environs.
On Sunday morning 11 May, with clear skies and a brisk force five south-easterly breeze livening the seas, the RNLI crew of Spirit of Fidelity were undergoing an exercise as part of their regular training alongside colleagues in the Littlehampton B-Class inshore lifeboat Renee Sherman.
HM Coastguard alerted Littlehampton RNLI to reports of a small boat being swamped by waves to the west of the harbour entrance. On arriving at the scene the crew of Spirit of Fidelity found the casualty vessel to be grounded, but fortunately its two occupants had safely made it to shore. The vessel was flooded and, being broadside to the beach with a rising tide and crashing waves, it was determined to leave the vessel in its secure onshore position as members of the Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team were now in attendance.
Nick White, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Littlehampton lifeboat station, said: ‘All of our operational crew and station supporters were delighted to welcome Spirit of Fidelity to the boathouse and ready the D-Class for service saving lives at sea. With the sunny weather we have been experiencing on the south coast recently many people are heading out to enjoy the sea, but conditions can change quickly – particularly when leaving the calm waters of the harbour the full force of the ocean can suddenly come to the fore. Fortunately in this incident the casualty vessel occupants made their own way to shore.’
ENDS
Details of the recently retired D-Class lifeboat, Ray of Hope, can be read about at
https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2025/april/30/littlehampton-rnli-to-bid-farewell-to-ray-of-hope
RNLI media contacts Anthony Fogg, Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI 07823 509032 [email protected]
Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager – SE & London, RNLI 07724 801305 [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
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