Newhaven Lifeboat launched to jet ski taking on water

The PAN-PAN was made from the casualty vessel by the owner on-board. The casualty vessel was taking on water. It was located approximately 1.5NMs south east of Newhaven Harbour. Also on-board the jet ski was a ten year old boy.

Newhaven Lifeboat the David and Elizabeth Acland and her volunteer crew launched and made way to the jet ski’s location, across Seaford Bay towards Splash Point. They were soon on scene.

Coxswain, Lewis Arnold, says ‘The jet ski’s pump was coping with the water ingress, however, given the length of time the casualties has been drifting and their location, we felt the safest course of action was to transfer the two casualties onto the lifeboat and tow the jet ski back to Newhaven.’

Once in the harbour the jet ski was assisted, by Sussex Boat Trips, back to the slipway from where it had launched.

Lewis Arnold, says ‘If you see anyone in difficulty in the water, call 999 immediately and ask for the coastguard.’

Notes to Editors

PAN-PAN - An urgency transmission must be authorised, although not necessarily sent, by the master, or person in charge, of the vessel. An Urgency Call has the second highest priority of any radio transmission. The Urgency Call and Message on Channel 16 should always be preceded by a DSC Urgency Alert on vessels suitably equipped. An Urgency Call always starts with the prowords, 'PAN-PAN' repeated three times, followed by the address of the recipients repeated three times, then the station's identity repeated three times, followed by the message. (The word 'PAN' is also derived from the French, in this case 'en-panne' meaning 'in difficulty'). It can either be directed to a specific station or broadcast as an 'All Ships' Urgency Call. A radiotelephone Urgency transmission always contains the Urgency Signal, 'Pan Pan'. It is a broadcast transmission, made to anyone listening and will automatically initiate a chain of events involving the Coastguard and the other vessels.

Impeller - is a rotating component equipped with vanes or blades used inturbomachinery (e. g. centrifugal pumps). Flow deflection at the impeller vanes allows mechanical power (energy at the vanes) to be converted into pump power output.

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