Video Details

Newhaven RNLI launch to vessel aground in choppy conditions

02/08/2012

Volunteers from Newhaven’s RNLI lifeboat station were launched on Sunday 29nd July at 14:00 to a swamped 21ft speed boat with five persons on board, which had gone aground 50 metres to the west of Newhaven breakwater in the strong breeze and heavy surf. Newhaven’s Severn Class lifeboat ‘RNLB David and Elizabeth Acland’ arrived on scene at 14:10 as the crew of the stricken pleasure craft were at the water’s edge trying to save their vessel. An assessment of the situation was made by the lifeboat coxswain and the lifeboat stood by as the owner of the vessel had access to a land rover with a winch which pulled the casualty vessel clear of the breaking waves. The water was bailed out as the casualty vessel could not be refloated straight from the breaking surf as it would have sunk. Once the water was pumped, out the boat was then repositioned with bow to sea. A tow line was passed via Newhaven Coastguards to the casualty vessel and then the vessel was pulled off the beach and towed safely to Newhaven Marina within Newhaven harbour. The lifeboat then returned to station at 3:42pm.