Rescues, mud incidents and bomb scares mark busy start to year for Coastguard team in West Sussex

The volunteer team has already responded to numerous incidents along the coast during the first three months of the year, highlighting the varied challenges faced by Coastguard rescue teams and the importance of public safety awareness around the shoreline.

Early January incidents

The year began with a call-out on January 2, after reports of two people standing in the water near the entrance to Pagham Harbour who might have been in difficulty.

The team reported that 'both people were safely out of the water and were safe and well' when rescuers arrived. While it turned out to be a false alarm, the team stressed that the public had acted correctly in raising the concern.

As the post noted, it was a 'false alarm this time, but the call was made with good intent'.

Only two days later, volunteers were called again after a possible piece of unexploded ordnance was spotted on the beach at Medmerry. Photographs were sent to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and a cordon was put in place overnight.

A follow-up visit the next morning confirmed the item was not dangerous. After inspection, EOD declared the object safe and not ordnance, allowing the area to reopen.

Mud rescue and winter hazards

By mid-January the team was assisting in a more urgent rescue. On January 16, the team was paged alongside other emergency services to a report of a child stuck in deep mud in Bosham.

Working with Portsmouth and Hayling Coastguard Rescue Teams and the fire service, rescuers freed the child and handed them over to ambulance crews. The team later reminded the public that people should avoid attempting rescues themselves because they could also become stuck.

A similar incident happened at RSPB Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve, shortly after 2pm, on Saturday (March 14).

Emergency crews rescued a person, who became stuck in thick mud.

The Portsmouth Coastguard Rescue Team and crews from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service were also tasked for additional support.

“The casualty was located and was stuck in the mud up to their knees,” the Selsey team explained.

"Two Coastguard rescue mud technicians from Selsey were deployed onto the mud and were able to extract the casualty and bring them back to safety using our stretcher.

“Thankfully the casualty didn't require any medical assistance and was given a blanket to keep them warm and were then able to go home not needing any further help.

“Thank you to the local farmer for their assistance today as well as the home owners at Hasleys Farm for access.

“Team stood down to begin the wash down of our mud kit.”

Ongoing concerns about ordnance

Suspected wartime ordnance continued to prompt call-outs during February and March.

On February 20, the team responded to reports of a possible explosive device at East Wittering Beach. Although a search was carried out with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, the item reported could not be located.

However, volunteers warned that ordnance can appear in many shapes and sizes and may still be highly explosive, urging beach users not to touch anything suspicious.

One of the more significant incidents so far this year came in mid-March when suspected ordnance was confirmed on Medmerry Beach. After the discovery was reported, the team secured the area and requested support from EOD.

Because of the size of the device, a wider safety cordon was established and additional support was requested from Sussex Police and Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team on Thursday (March 12). Later that day, controlled explosions were carried out safely on the beach.

Tidal dangers and sandbanks

The team also issued public safety warnings as seasonal conditions changed along the coast.

In early March they highlighted the hazards around the large shingle bank visible at low tide off Marine Beach. Describing the feature, the team explained it is a 'forever shifting and changing shingle bank' that can quickly become cut off as tides rise and currents strengthen.

Days later, on March 7, those warnings proved timely when a person walking with two dogs became stranded on a sandbar at West Wittering as the tide came in. Hayling Island Lifeboat assisted with the rescue, bringing the casualty and their dogs back to shore. The individual was reported to be safe, though 'a little cold after trying to attempt to get back to the shore'.

The incidents illustrate just how varied coastguard work can be — from welfare checks and mud rescues to explosive hazards and tidal emergencies.

Throughout the posts, the team consistently reminded the public that if they encounter danger along the coast they should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard, and avoid putting themselves at risk.

With spring approaching and visitor numbers expected to increase, the team’s early-year activity suggests that 2026 is already shaping up to be another busy year for coastal rescue volunteers.