Newhaven lifeboat saves two stranded fishermen
Newhaven’s Severn Class lifeboat ‘RNLB David and Elizabeth Acland’ and her volunteer crew were diverted at 11:24am from their Sunday morning training exercise to assist two fishermen who had been cut off by the tide.
Newhaven Coastwatch had spotted the two fishermen on the sea defences, affectionately known as the bonio’s, at the rear of Newhaven’s West Breakwater. They appeared to be cut off by the incoming tide.
The lifeboat crew checked that both men were unharmed. The fishermen had small cuts, with one man having already been swept into the sea and suffering the effects of the cold.
The crew launched the inflatable Y boat with two crew members on board wearing dry suits. The conditions were choppy with an increasing south easterly wind.
As the Y boat moved towards the casualties, heaving lines were made ready should they need assistance due to the increasing wave height. The two crew members in the Y boat assessed the situation, and moved to a pre-determined position within the rocks. The two casualties were then transferred to the Y boat.
Once clear, the Y boat manoeuvred alongside the main lifeboat and the casualties brought on board.
The two fishermen were medically assessed and given blankets. Once back at the lifeboat station, they were passed into the care of the South Coast Ambulance Service.
The lifeboat was ready for service again at 12:20pm
Newhaven lifeboat Coxswain Paul Legendre explained, ‘with one person having spent time in the water and large incoming tides which would have quickly covered the rocks, plus the choppy conditions, this could have so easily been a double tragedy.
'Thanks to the great teamwork between Newhaven Coastwatch Institution, Coastguards and our volunteer crew we really made the difference in what were difficult conditions’.
Ends
Notes to editors
To follow Newhaven lifeboat services find us on Facebook, Twitter & You Tube for the latest pictures and video.
Newhaven has celebrated 214 years as a lifeboat station, being the oldest RNLI station in the UK. Newhaven operates an all-weather Seven Class lifeboat ‘RNLB David and Elizabeth Acland’
RNLI media contacts
- Alan Novis, Newhaven RNLI Station Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07916 272861, [email protected]
- Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, RNLI Public Relations (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.