SEARCH FOR PERSON SEEN IN SEA AT BRIGHTON

Coastguard Rescue Officers, lifeboat crews, Police and a helicopter have been searching for a person who was seen in to the sea near Palace Pier in Brighton.

Sussex Police called Solent Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at 2.24am to tell them that someone was in the sea opposite the Digital Club just west of Palace Pier. People on scene attempted to reach the person but rough seas with 3 metre waves made this impossible.

The Coastguard helicopter from Lee on Solent was sent to the scene alongside the RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat based at Shoreham. Specialist Coastguard Water Rescue Officers from Shoreham and Littlehampton and the crew of the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat based at Brighton joined them at the scene to work as ‘spotters’ to help the helicopter and lifeboat try to find the person in the water. 

The search is currently ongoing with the RNLI lifeboat based at Shoreham working with Coastguard Rescue Officers, Police officers, South East Coast Ambulance Service HART team and the crew of the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat based in Brighton to look for the missing person.

Solent Coastguard Watch Manager Paul Marlow said:

“We believe that a couple went in to the sea after a night out on the town. One managed to get back out of the rough sea but sadly the other was swept out to sea. Gale force wind, rough seas and darkness make it difficult to spot a person in the water who needs help and so our request is simple – please don’t end your night out with a dip. Cold water and powerful seas mean that it’s really not as much fun as you might think.”
-Ends-

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