1st February 2022. The volunteer watchkeepers of the National Coastwatch Institution are trained to keep a watchful eye over the water, not just for any vessels or water users in distress, but also for anything unusual.

The watchkeepers at NCI Shoreham spotted what appeared to be a life jacket and helmet drifting across the harbour entrance. They contacted HM Coastguard who tasked Shoreham RNLI to investigate and the Inshore Lifeboat was launched.

The object spotted turned out to be a rucksack with a black helmet attached. The lifeboat retrieved the rucksack and they requested NCI Shoreham to talk to two persons on the beach to see if they were involved or knew anything about the rucksack, but they had no involvement.

HM Solent Coastguard then requested the lifeboat to carry out a coastal search. After an extensive search, nothing was found and it appeared the rucksack had been dropped into the sea from East Breakwater and had drifted across the harbour mouth.