Ivan launches into new role with Littlehampton’s lifeboats

Ivan, who has worked off the Sussex coast for much of his life, most recently operated his charter boat “Michelle Mary” out of Littlehampton and is well-known amongst harbour users and many who have chartered his boat for angling or diving.

His role as a deputy launching authority is to respond to a request, usually from the coastguard, to launch the lifeboat, based on the conditions.

He is responsible for the lifeboat putting to sea, and also co-ordinates the service from the boathouse and completes the return as a permanent record of the services performed by RNLI lifeboats.

Littlehampton lifeboat operations manager Nick White said: “We have a small team of DLAs, who, together with myself, cover on a rota basis to make sure that Littlehampton’s two lifeboats can respond to an emergency whenever they are required.”

The station would like to recruit another DLA, to be largely available during the working week as well as overnight sometimes, living fairly close to the harbour, and with a strong boating background.

Anyone who would like to be considered for the role should call at the lifeboat station at Fisherman’s Quay, Surrey Street, opposite the Look & Sea Centre.