Two calls HASTINGS 15ft 6in D class inflatable lifeboat, manned by Helmsman Christopher Cooper and Crew Members Steven Barrow and John K. Ronchetti, was launched at 1534 on the afternoon of Friday, July 13, 1984, after it was reported that a group of swimmers were in trouble off the harbour arm.

Although the weather was fine, there was a fresh south-westerly breeze, force 5, and the sea was choppy with a five foot swell.

Some of the swimmers had managed to get themselves ashore and four of them went to the lifeboathouse for first aid. The lifeboat crew recovered two male bodies, 250 yards offshore and brought them back to the station to try to revive them, but the station's honorary medical adviser, Dr Head, who had come down to the boathouse, declared them dead. It was still not known if there was one of the group of swimmers still in the water, so the lifeboat put to sea again to search, manned by Helmsman Steven Martin and Crew Members Peter Thorpe and Andre Bourdon- Pierre. A helicopter also joined in the search, but at 1800 it was agreed to call it off and the lifeboat returned to station.

The swimmers had come from a visiting coach party and it was not until1915 that they had all reassembled and everyone was accounted for, with no one left in the water..