We are an independent inshore rescue boat facility, working in close co-operation with HM Coastguard and the RNLI. We receive no funding from either and depend solely on public donations and sponsorship to continue. The service was started by two fisherman and became The Pett Level Rescue Boat Association (more recently the Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat Association) in 1971 with Charity status coming in the 1980s.

We have helped search for missing yachts, rescued walkers and their dogs trapped on Fairlight cliffs by incoming tides, caught sea birds that have been contaminated by oil pollution and taken them to the RSCPA at Mallydams. We’ve helped the RNLI search for missing children at Camber Beach and work alongside the Rye Bay Coastguard to ensure that everyone who comes to our stretch of coast is as safe as they can be. We also gave assistance to Robertsbridge during the floods of 2001, and featured in the BBC Programme “Coast”.

Every year, the crew, trustees and supporters work extremely hard to raise funds, through charity events and open days, in order to meet the rescue boat’s running costs. The Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat is one of only a handful of independent rescue boats still operating around the British coast.

With your help, we can continue to offer an effective and reliable rescue service, and continue to save lives.