Donate now

Newhaven Lifeboat rescue two people blown out to sea on inflatable boat

Lifeboats News Release

Newhaven RNLI were launched by HM Coastguard at 3.07pm on Thursday 25 May, following reports of two people being blown away from the beach in Seaford bay.

Gary Bruggenwirth

Newhaven RNLI entering Newhaven harbour
Coastguard rescue helicopter 163 was in the vicinity. They assisted in locating the inflatable and two people on board. The lifeboat made best speed to the location, three quarters of a mile off Seaford beach.

The casualties were in a small inflatable boat and had been blown away from safety by the off-shore breeze.

Lee Blacknell, Coxswain, says: ‘As warmer weather arrives, we remind people to check weather and tide before setting out on the water.’

‘If you find yourself in trouble in the water, remember Float to Live. Tilt your head back to submerge your ears. Your legs may naturally sink and you may need to use your hands to scull.’

The lifeboat and her volunteer crew recovered the two people and their inflatable. The casualties were noticeably shaken. They received casualty care assessments and once confirmed fit and well, the lifeboat transported them to the waiting Coastguard team, back on the beach.

‘If you spot someone in trouble in the water call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

Notes for the Editor
#FloatToLive – For further information please see www.rnli.org/safety/float

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 296252 [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI Newhaven social media
Twitter: @NewhavenRNLI
Instagram: newhavenlifeboat
Facebook: @newhaven.lifeboat

RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

Jon Lavis

Newhaven RNLI's all-weather lifeboat delivers rescues pair back to Seaford beach

Jon Lavis

Coastguard Rescue Team greet pair blown off Seaford beach after being rescued by Newhaven RNLI

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, 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.

Categories