Brighton and Hove to Reintroduce Patrol Boat as Part of New Seafront Safety Measures
Brighton and Hove's seafront stretches from Hove in the west to the Marina in the east, attracting millions of visitors every summer. A council patrol boat will begin operating along this stretch of coastline before the end of June 2026. Photo: M J Richardson via Geograph, Creative Commons licence
Brighton and Hove City Council is reintroducing a patrol boat to the seafront as part of a package of new safety measures ahead of the summer season
A patrol boat is to be relaunched in Brighton and Hove as part of wider seafront safety measures, Brighton and Hove City Council confirmed on 5 June 2026.
The boat is expected to begin patrols of coastal waters off Brighton and Hove's shoreline before the end of the month, in time for the pier-to-pier swim on 27 June. Once underway it will operate mainly during peak periods, particularly in calm conditions when more people enter the water.
The patrol boat will be operated and staffed by the council's own seafront team and will work alongside and complement the existing lifeguard service delivered by the RNLI, which is already in place at various points along the seafront until 6 September.
What the patrol boat will do
The patrol boat will have a specific remit across several areas of seafront safety. It will engage with people who drift too far from shore on inflatables, paddle boards or other beach equipment, a situation that can become dangerous quickly in tidal conditions. It will also enforce existing bathing byelaws and tackle unsafe or illegal jet ski activity along the coast.
The council said the team will never be very far away, meaning they can be in the boat quickly and reach incidents when needed most.
The reintroduction of the patrol boat is part of a broader package of seafront safety measures being put in place for the summer. Alongside the patrol boat and the RNLI lifeguard service, the council is also increasing CCTV coverage of the seafront, delivering sea safety training for local school children and increasing the number of patrols carried out by the council's seafront team.
What the cabinet member said
Councillor David McGregor, Cabinet Member for Economy, Culture, Heritage and Tourism at Brighton and Hove City Council, said the seafront was central to the identity of the city and that keeping it safe for everyone was a priority.
"Our seafront is the city's shop window. It's an iconic, beautiful stretch of coast which millions of people flock to each year. Brighton and Hove simply would not be the city it is without it," he said.
"It is absolutely vital the area is safe for everyone who wants to enjoy it.
"We have measures in place already and work closely with partners like Sussex Police and the RNLI, but we're determined to expand this further, including by reintroducing the patrol boat."
Brighton's seafront in summer
Brighton and Hove's seafront stretches from Hove Lagoon in the west to the Marina in the east and attracts millions of visitors during the warmer months. The beach is shingle rather than sand and shelves steeply, meaning the water gets deep quickly. There are no lifeguards on every stretch of the seafront, making the RNLI service and the reintroduced patrol boat particularly significant during busy summer weekends.
The pier-to-pier swim on 27 June, which the patrol boat is specifically timed to be in place for, is one of the most popular open water swimming events in the south of England, drawing hundreds of participants along the seafront from the West Pier to the Palace Pier.
Earlier today, emergency services attended Brighton beach near Sea Lanes on Madeira Drive after a man was found dead in the water. Enquiries by Sussex Police remain ongoing. ImJustBrighton covered the story in full. The council's seafront safety announcement was issued separately on the same day.
For the latest Brighton seafront and beach news, visit ImJustBrighton. For a full guide to Brighton's beaches, read our Brighton Beach Guide 2026.
This article is based on a Brighton and Hove City Council press release issued on 5 June 2026, sent directly to ImJustBrighton via Vuelio.
