Eastbourne RNLI respond to Mayday call

The Tamar class All-weather lifeboat "Diamond Jubilee" was launched to assist the vessel that had suffered fouled propellers six miles off Eastbourne near the soon to be decommissioned Sovereign light tower.

The lifeboat was quickly on scene and after an assessment of the situation was carried out the decision was made to tow the vessel back to Sovereign Harbour as it was the safest course of action.

'Due to the failing light and as we were unable to remove the items causing fouling the casualty vessels propellers the safest thing for everyone we could do was tow the vessel into Sovereign Harbour where the crew of the vessel could fix the issue the next day.' Coxswain Mark Sawyer said as when they returned at 1030pm.

This week marks the 10th Anniversary of the "Diamond Jubilee" joining the RNLI fleet and arriving at Eastbourne.

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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.