The RNLI have unveiled a new website which can be seen at www.rnli.co.uk. The site is full of information about the service including reports of launchings and rescues. Like this day in the life report below:

Rye Harbour RNLI relief Lifeboat B722 'Beatrice Dorothy' launched on service at 3.38 pm to the cabin cruiser 'Son Et-Lumiere' which had broken down - suffering fuel problems and dragging her anchor east of the KitKat cafe at Camber.

Lifeboat B722 arrived at the casualty at 3.40 pm and took the casualty in tow.  Whilst heading back to Rye Harbour the crew of the Lifeboat observed a capsized 3.5 metre sailing catamaran with a single occupant having difficulty righting the boat, Dover Coastguard tasked Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat to give priority and assist the capsized catamaran. 

The Lifeboat anchored 'Son Et-Lumiere' and dropped the tow, going to the assistance of the capsized boat.  When they arrived at the catamaran, assistance was given to the sailor to right the catamaran.  When satisfied that the sailor and catamaran were ok, the Lifeboat returned to resume the tow of 'Son Et-Lumiere'.  'Son Et-Lumiere' was taken back in tow at 4 pm and making way to Rye Harbour. At 4.16 pm Dover Coastguard tasked Rye Harbour Lifeboat to give immediate assistance to five teenage swimmers at the entrance to Rye Harbour, three of whom were suffering from exhaustion.  The five lads were recovered into the lifeboat and then landed safely ashore at Camber Sands at 4.25 pm. 'Son Et-Lumiere' was taken back in tow at 4.30 pm, and made way to Rye Harbour.  At 5 pm 'Son Et-Lumiere' was placed on her moorings at Rye. 

Lifeboat B722 returned to station at 5.10 pm.

Tony Edwards, RNLI Deputy Launching Authority at Rye Harbour lifeboat station said: 'Anyone going to sea should carry some means of calling for help.  Mobile phones are not an effective means of calling for help for a number of reasons: they are not waterproof, poor signal coverage (black spots), only one person can hear your call for help (if you have a signal) to list but a few.

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