Major Overnight Search Launched Off Sussex Coast for Missing Person

A large-scale search operation was launched along the Sussex coast late on Thursday night (31 July) amid reports of a missing person in the Hastings area. At 9.59pm, Solent Coastguard coordinated a multi-agency response, deploying lifeboats, rescue teams, and a search and rescue helicopter in a bid to locate the individual. Among the assets involved […]

A large-scale search operation was launched along the Sussex coast late on Thursday night (31 July) amid reports of a missing person in the Hastings area.

At 9.59pm, Solent Coastguard coordinated a multi-agency response, deploying lifeboats, rescue teams, and a search and rescue helicopter in a bid to locate the individual.

Among the assets involved were lifeboats from Hastings, Rye Harbour, Dungeness, and Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat, as well as the all-weather lifeboat from Eastbourne. Air support was provided by Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 363, while land-based teams from HM Coastguard in Hastings and Bexhill, along with Sussex Police, assisted in the effort.

The extensive sea and shoreline search continued into the early hours of Friday morning, but no trace of the missing person was found. The operation was subsequently stood down pending further information.

Mark Stephenson (LOM) from Rye RNLI commented “this was a quick response to the pager and a quick launch. The boat crew were at sea for over 4 hours and did a magnificent job, as did all the shore crew. A great response from team Rye. It was, as always a great multiagency response from RNLI Rye Harbour; RNLI Hastings; Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat; HM Coastguard Rescue Teams from Rye Bay; Hastings and Bexhill”

The incident highlights the critical coordination between lifeboat crews, police, and coastguard personnel in emergency coastal responses.

Authorities remind the public:
In a coastal emergency, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.