Lifesavers from Eastbourne RNLI feature in book about dramatic sea rescues

Surviving the Storms recounts 11 of the charity’s most remarkable rescues from the last two decades.

These are stories of extraordinary courage and compassion at sea, providing a rare insight into the life-or-death decisions the RNLI’s lifesavers have to make when battling the forces of nature and saving lives.

The new book goes on sale today (June 11) with royalties from all sales supporting the lifesaving charity.

Current Poole RNLI volunteer, Dave Riley, was a crew member onboard Eastbourne RNLI’s Mersey class lifeboat when it launched in gale force conditions in October 2002 to go to the aid of two people onboard Paperchase, a 33ft yacht in difficulty at the entrance to Sovereign Harbour. This incredible rescue story also features in the book.

Working as a team under the command of coxswain Mark Sawyer, the Eastbourne lifeboat launched in darkness and into breaking seas as the yacht was hit by waves and taken off course into the shallows.

As events unfolded, things went from bad to worse as the yacht started to sink with two people in the water. One of the volunteer crew, Dan Guy, risked his own life and found himself in the water tethered only by his life jacket harness as he held onto the skipper to save his life.

The chapter is written from Dave’s perspective and tells of that night’s events which saw coxswain Mark Sawyer receive a Silver Medal for Gallantry and Dan Guy, a Bronze Medal for Gallantry.

Dave said: “That night is one I’ll always remember. As we arrived at the yacht’s location I could see the waves hitting it and one person clinging to the mast. They were in real danger.

“The coxswain of the lifeboat had to make some rapid decisions as we were also batting breaking seas. We fired a line over to the yacht, only for it to start sinking a short time later, throwing two people into the water.

“Thankfully, both people were recovered onto the lifeboat, cold and shaken, but otherwise unharmed.

“I’m proud to see this story featured in the book alongside so many other incredible rescues by the RNLI’s lifeguards and lifeboat crews right across the UK and Ireland.”

Mark Dowie, RNLI chief executive, said: “Surviving the Storms is a wonderful account of selflessness and bravery although there is no book big enough to do justice to every RNLI rescue and rescuer. We have hundreds of lifeboat stations and thousands of crew members and lifeguards all dedicated to saving lives. Between them, they’ve helped so many people survive the storms and I’m proud of every one of them.”

The book, which has a recommended retail price of £14.99, is available to buy now.

As well as being available to order online from Amazon and Waterstones, the book is also due to be stocked at supermarkets across the UK including Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Asda stores, as well as independent book shops and Waterstones stores. It is also available on Kindle, Apple Books and as an audio book.

To order a copy of Surviving the Storms visit www.books.harpercollins.co.uk/surviving-the-storms.