Newhaven Lifeboat resumes training afloat

The all-weather lifeboat David and Elizabeth Acland will be launched on Sunday 28 February for training afloat.

Lewis Arnold, Coxswain, says ‘In order to maximise the training opportunity, we will launch the Lifeboat three times during our allotted 24 hours.’

The most recent lockdown, arguably the hardest after what has already been a gruelling year for many, began for Newhaven Lifeboat on Sunday 20 December 2020.

Since this time, excluding nominated crew responding to an emergency, no visits to the station have been allowed, aside from Coxswain, Lewis Arnold.

The cost of this restricted access to the station during the last year has been accumulative. Most notably, training afloat and shore training have been challenged.

Potential skill fade has been managed via online-training. Training afloat has been suspended during full lockdown phases.

Lewis Arnold, Coxswain, says ‘We'll be practicing emergency drills, crew competencies, mooring and berthing, search and rescue planning and man-overboard.'

'It makes for a long day, but this multi-launch strategy allows us to get as many of the crew as possible out on to the water. Refamiliarizing crew with procedures in the dark, as well as during daylight hours.'

As of this week, Newhaven’s training will resume a ‘24 hours afloat in 10-days’ cycle.

This limited training schedule was established after the first lockdown ease last year.

Procedures will remain in place to manage limitation of potential infection during the 24 hours training. Only six people will be allowed on station at one time. Complete decontamination of the boat will take place between each rotation of crew.

Throughout the pandemic, Newhaven Lifeboat and her dedicated volunteer crew have maintained the station’s accredited Covid-19 secure site status. Staying operational at all times, ready to respond to service calls.

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