A regrettable death, but just following orders

The Rother Coast Control Officers' boat, which has done sterling service in the past in coming to the aid of swimmers in distress, sits in its shelter.

But, officially, can it be used for rescues? No.

So on the days when Summer 2007 does allow bathers to use the beach, where is the nearest safety cover?

Eastbourne or Hastings.

To the beach-user that makes as much sense as putting a fire engine or an ambulance behind locked doors.

The role of the Coast Control Officers was never to take over that of the RNLI. Their duties are the good order and safe governance of the beaches and include such tasks as putting out the red No Bathing flags and the flags warning of mud-holes in the sands.

But such good use has been made of their fast rigid inflatable boat that they received a Bexhill Achievers Award last year for their response in time of need.

With the nearest RNLI inshore rescue boats at Hastings and Eastbourne can it possibly make sense for Rother staff with a sea-worthy craft to have to stand idly by while a bather is in distress while an RNLI craft is launched from another town?

Rother says its officers are not trained to enter the water.

But if they are putting to sea as part of their duties it is not time they were trained - for their own safety.

No matter how fast today's high-powered rigid inflatables, valuable time is bound to be lost.

And time can be of the essence in such a situation.

The sea is a cruel and deceptive element. The public frequently shows complete disregard for or ignorance of the dangers it poses.

Near the Colonnade there were a good many swimmers in the water recently, for instance, despite the red flags being flown.

Tragedy can strike at any time. What would be the response of a coroner if '“ and heaven forbid that it should happen '“ there is a summer holiday fatality off Bexhill and when asked at the inquest "What did you do?" the hapless officer replies: "Followed orders, rang the RNLI and then stood by the boat and did nothing."