A lifeboat almost capsized after being battered by waves on the Sussex coast during a Storm Ciara rescue mission. Heart-stopping footage shows the boat being tossed around by the waves before one huge breaker smacks into its side and forces it out of the water.

The volunteers on the boat, from RNLI Hastings, were on a mission to save an ‘idiot’ surfer who had become separated from his board off the coast of Hastings thanks to 93 mph gales from Storm Ciara. Paul Hogg, who uploaded footage of the rescue mission, said: “Brave boys from RNLI off out to rescue some idiot surfer off Hastings in Storm Ciara. Come home safe boys.”

The Hastings branch of the RNLI has confirmed that all those on board the boat have returned safely from the mission.

In a post on Twitter they wrote: “After a dramatic video has been posted, most of you know that we’ve been out on a shout but we’re happy to report that we’re all safe, well and uninjured, and the boat is undamaged and safely berthed next to RNLI Eastbourne.”

An RNLI spokesman told the Daily Mail that all of their lifeboats are built to withstand harsh conditions.