Three of the RNLI’s five all-weather lifeboat classes assembled for a one-night only appearance in Newhaven on Tuesday 20 April 2021. The Shannon and Mersey’s absence from the line up has been confirmed by a reliable source as operational coincidence.
On a number of occasions this year already, Newhaven’s Severn class all-weather lifeboat 17-21
David and Elizabeth Acland has attracted local attention in the company of visiting RNLI vessels moored along side.
This week was no exception. The first of the visiting vessels, Tamar 16-13
Victor Freeman relief boat, arrived from Shoreham, for a package of works before returning back to Shoreham for storage on Tuesday 20 April.
The Severn and Tamar were soon joined by Trent class 14-31 Elizabeth of Glamis, en route home to Broughty Ferry from Poole, where she has been undergoing her 10-yearly refit.
The trio made a pleasing configuration of family vessels docked alongside at Newhaven Lifeboat station.
Lewis Arnold, Newhaven Coxswain, says, ‘Accommodating the movement of the RNLI fleet around our coastline plays an important part in our service to be operational 365 days of the year, 24 hours a day.’
Other notable visits this year have included the sister Severn class 17-20
Spirit of Northumberland on 7 March, whilst on transit from her home base of Tynemouth to Poole for scheduled transformation works, part of the Severn Life Extension Program.
Two weeks later, on 21 March, the Severn class 17-45 Duke of Kent relief boat paused in Newhaven on passage to Torbay. In her wake, the Trent class 14-10
Samarbeta was welcomed alongside on 22 March following an upgrade of electronical navigation systems at the All-weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) in Poole.
One vessel departs and another arrives. 26 March brought in the Trent class 14-35
John Neville Taylor, based at Dunbar on her passage for refit at the ALC in Poole.
In the month prior, the Severn class 17-34 Osier on passage from Poole to Tynemouth visited Newhaven on 2 February. On 18 February Gorleston’s Trent class 14-10
Samarbeta docked over night on her way to the ALC. On 26 February the Tamar 16-07
Lester stopped in en route from Poole on her return home to Cromer.
Lewis Arnold, Newhaven Coxswain, says, ‘Well maintained assets, in the right places, is central to our commitment to save lives as sea. It’s great to feel our community appreciating the entire RNLI family of vessels and their connection to Newhaven as they travel along our coast.’
Notes to editors
• ALB – All-weather lifeboat
• All-weather lifeboats (ALBs) are capable of high speed and can be operated safely in all weather conditions. They are inherently self-righting after a capsize and fitted with navigation, location and communication equipment. Big and bright, the sight of one of our all-weather lifeboats on the horizon has given hope to many.
• RNLI lifeboats are divided into two categories: all-weather lifeboats and inshore lifeboats. The different classes of lifeboat within these categories mean we can reach people in all kinds of situations and locations.
• The type of lifeboat a station has depends on geographical features, the kind of rescues the station is involved in and the cover provided by neighbouring lifeboat stations.
• The all-weather fleet currently consists of the Shannon, Severn, Trent, Tamar and Mersey class lifeboats.
• ALC - All-weather Lifeboat Centre
• Established in 1803, Newhaven Lifeboat Station covers from Beachy Head to Brighton. It’s a modern afloat station and operates an all-weather Severn class lifeboat. The crews have been awarded 19 medals for gallantry.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Roz Ashton, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07900 887423 or
[email protected] or Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer on 07785 296252
[email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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.
