Swimmer search for Newhaven Lifeboat
Newhaven Lifeboat, ‘David and Elizabeth Acland’ and her volunteer crew, were launched on service by HM Coastguard in a multi-agency search for a missing casualty swimmer in Seaford Bay on Tuesday 31 August, continuing the search on Wednesday 1 September.
The search was initiated after clothes belongings were found on the beach at Tidemills.
Coxswain, Lewis Arnold, says ‘The weather on scene for searching was good. We had good visibility and a smooth, slight sea.’
In force three to four north north east wind, Newhaven Lifeboat made an extensive search of the area for eight hours. They returned to the boathouse at 11.30pm when all assets were stood down overnight.
Newhaven Lifeboat was launched again at 5.52am on Wednesday 1 September to resume their search for the missing swimmer.
Newhaven’s Severn class lifeboat David and Elizabeth Acland covered a large area between Newhaven and Brighton. Nothing was found.
The Lifeboat was stood down by HM Coastguard at 11.30am on Wednesday 1 September.
Lewis Arnold, says ‘We would always rather launch to a possible casualty than potentially arrive too late. If you see anyone in difficulty in the water, call 999 immediately and ask for the coastguard.’
‘If you get into difficulty in the water, try to stay calm and think float to live.’
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 [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
RNLI Newhaven social media:
Twitter: @NewhavenRNLI
Instagram: newhavenlifeboat
Facebook: @newhaven.lifeboat
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.