Brighton and Shoreham lifeboat crews joined forces to assist fire officers during a fire that gutted the south end of Brighton's West Pier on 28 March 2003 The fire was raging out of control on the pier, with no way for fire teams to access the area. A senior fire officer was transferred aboard Shoreham's all-weather lifeboat from the Brighton inshore lifeboat and he decided that the fire should take its course. The lifeboat performed a visual search to check that no-one was on the pier. The Coastguard rescue helicopter also did aerial searches using infra-red detection equipment to confirm there was nobody trapped in the fire.

The lifeboats were requested to stand by until seaborne firefighting crews arrived.

Many vessels had come close to get a better view, and the lifeboats warned them of the danger posed by the tons of debris floating away from the pier. Crew members of the Shoreham inshore lifeboat, Dave Laker, Dave Cassan and Tim Fox (pictured), helped clear vessels and also transferred firefighters and equipment to tackle the blaze.

At one point Brighton lifeboat had to rescue a man who had waded out trying to take close-up photos with a waterproof camera.

Shoreham's all-weather and Brighton's inshore lifeboats were stood down once all the firefighters arrived. Shoreham inshore lifeboat stayed on for another hour to transfer equipment and help with safety duties. However, with the tide dropping, the underwater debris was becoming too much of a danger to the lifeboat and the crew returned to the station.

A second fire, in May, sadly leaves the West Pier with a very uncertain future..