Newhaven in missing vessel multiagency search on weekend of engine failures

HM Coastguard shoreside and rescue helicopter 175 searched the coast off Worthing for four hours alongside RNLI crews from Shoreham, Brighton, Selsey and Newhaven.

Newhaven Lifeboat searched east of Rampion wind farm for the reported over-due missing vessel in very dark sky.

The casualty vessel was located by rescue helicopter 175 south east of Shoreham. The casualty vessel had suffered engine failure. The two casualties were taken on board by RNLI Brighton and the RIB towed back to safety.

Newhaven Lifeboat returned to station and were back on pagers at 4.48am ready for service.

Also this weekend, on Saturday 21 August, Newhaven Lifeboat received two launch requests by HM Coastguard in just over an hour. Both incidents to unconnected vessels with engine failure.

The first tasking at 2.59pm was to assess the situation of a 6.5 metre fishing vessel with engine failure off Old Nore Point two miles west of Newhaven Harbour, 500 yards off shore.

Lee Blacknell, Newhaven’s duty Coxswain, says ‘The casualty vessel, with six persons on board, was holding on an electric anchor, but there was concern over the battery.’

It was concluded the safest course of action was to tow the casualty vessel into Newhaven, the closest harbour.

Shortly after returning the fishing vessel safely alongside, Newhaven Lifeboat picked up a VHF request for assistance by a vessel in Seaford Bay at Tidemills, just outside the bathing buoys. The Lifeboat liaised with HM Coastguard. The second launch in just over an hour was made at 4pm.

Again the Lifeboat was tasked to assess the situation of the vessel suffering engine failure. Coxswain Lee Blacknell and his volunteer crew set a tow, awaiting the Transmanche Dieppe ferry departure, before proceeding and putting the casualty vessel alongside at the visitors pontoon.

Lewis Arnold, Newhaven’s Coxswain, says ‘Situations can develop unexpectedly at sea. A vessel with engine failure is especially vulnerable. We are glad all three of our service calls in the last 24 hours have concluded positively.’