A routine training exercise became a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the volunteer crew of Littlehampton RNLI after their lifeboat was surrounded by dolphins.
Helm Andy Harris and crew members Sophie Collins, Ian Kirkham and Mark Jordan were carrying out their regular Thursday evening training exercise off the Littlehampton coast on 9 July when they spotted dolphins ahead.
The crew kept the Renee Sherman lifeboat on a slow and steady course before the animals moved in around them.
The inquisitive pod, which included a mother and calf, stayed with the volunteers for around 10 minutes, leaping from the calm sea and playing in the lifeboat’s wake.
For Sophie Collins, who joined Littlehampton RNLI in August 2024 and recently passed out as crew, the encounter was unforgettable.
She said: “It was literally the best day of my life. It was such a peaceful sight and the perfect way to end our evening training session.”
CREDIT: Littlehampton RNLI Andy Harris
Andy Harris, who was at the helm and has volunteered with Littlehampton RNLI since 1996, said the sight never loses its magic.
He said: “It's one of those sights you never get tired of seeing. We saw them ahead, then we saw another group coming up behind us. They came to have a look at us and were jumping clear out of the water. They followed us for some of the way home, too.”
Crew member Ian Kirkham admitted the dolphins were a welcome distraction during the exercise.
He said: “It was superb to watch how they effortlessly rode our bow wave and the boat's wake. I had to remember to keep a lookout as well as watch the dolphins!”
Littlehampton RNLI is run entirely by volunteers and helps save lives at sea along the West Sussex coast between Worthing and Bognor Regis.
The crew trains every Thursday evening and Sunday morning and was called into action 77 times during 2025.
This time, however, there was no emergency — just a remarkable wildlife encounter that gave the crew an evening they are unlikely to forget.
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