While the crew mustered ready to launch further information was gathered from the mobile units on the beach and Solent Coastguard as to the location and condition of the body.

During this time the body was seen to drift East, towards the West Pier, approximately 50m out to sea. In light of the gale force wind and 2-3m breaking waves in the area it was considered that tasking the Lifeboat to the area was an unacceptable risk to the boat and crew. As such the lifeboat stood down.

As the body moved East, under the Brighton Pier the lifeboat crew joined members of the Solent Coastguard mobile unit on the beach to assist in it's recovery.

After a short wait the body was washed in close enough to be safely recovered and was transferred into the care of Sussex Police and Ambulance Services.

An RNLI Brighton Lifeboat spokesperson said: "The RNLI exists to save life at sea, this is a rare example of where a judgement call is made to not launch as the risk to our crew and equipment outweighs the benefit of any possible outcome."

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