RNLI Eastbourne responds to four separate incidents during busy Airbourne

During the 2026 Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow, volunteer crews from RNLI Eastbourne responded to four separate incidents to ensure public safety

The Four Incidents

• Downtide Swimmer Recovery: The Inshore Lifeboat launched on Sunday, August 16, to rescue a person swimming from an anchored vessel who had been swept away by the tide. They were safely returned to their boat. 
• 60-Minute Missing Person Search: A multi-agency operation involving the RNLI, Eastbourne lifeguards, police, and Coastguard Rescue teams searched for a swimmer missing for an hour. The casualty was located safely on shore. 
• Parachute Team Assistance: Lifeboat crews assisted local lifeguards by recovering members of the Red Devils parachute display team following their planned water landings. 
• Beachy Head Tide Stranding: In the early hours of Sunday morning, crews rescued a cold and shivering casualty stranded without a mobile signal at the base of the Beachy Head Lighthouse due to an incoming tide. 

Event Context

Alongside emergency call-outs, the crews maintained a constant safety presence on the water, managed the flight line exclusion zone, and conducted public safety training over the event's four days.