Newhaven RNLI rescue man cut off by rapidly incoming tide

Newhaven RNLI launched the charity’s D class inshore lifeboat D-890 Bill Hall to the vicinity of Cuckmere Haven, in response to a request from HM Coastguard.

While en route, the three-person crew received an updated position for the casualty and proceeded to search from Cuckmere Haven towards Birling Gap, sighting the person five minutes into their search at the base of the cliffs, approximately 500m west of the William Charles Monument.

The rescue was not straightforward due to challenging shore-dump conditions, which saw 1.5–2m waves breaking onto the shore. The crew brought the inshore lifeboat into the shallows and one crew member fitted the casualty with a survivor lifejacket, while the other two turned the boat around manually and attempted to hold it in position in the powerful waves.

At times, the boat was lifted and turned by breaking waves, requiring significant skill and effort from the crew to prevent it capsizing. As the boat began taking on water and conditions made it difficult to maintain position close to the shore, the helm made the decision to withdraw briefly from the breaking waves with the casualty and two crew members on board, allowing the lifeboat to be bailed out.

A crew member remained in the water maintaining position close to the casualty area while the lifeboat cleared water and quickly returned. Once ready, the crew recovered their colleague, who swam out approximately 10m beyond the breaking waves to meet the inshore lifeboat. The crew member was able to reach the lifeboat and was pulled safely aboard. The lifeboat then exited to safe water, away from the cliffs.

Chris Haffenden, 44, who was rescued, said: ‘I set off for a walk from Seven Sisters Country Park and went down onto Birling Gap beach.

‘But when I reached the cliffs to turn around, I realised the tide had come in almost instantly and I was stranded at the side of the cliff on a small section of beach. It was mad how quickly the sea came in.

‘I had no reception on my phone, just an old ham radio that I keep in the bottom of my bag, which can transmit on the marine channel. I got through to someone, but they told me to keep trying to call 999 and eventually my call went through.

‘I’ve complained about people getting stuck here in the past but now it’s happened to me.

‘The waves were powerful and dangerous, and the weather was miserable, so there was no one around. I was definitely panicking. But I felt a lot of relief when the lifeboat came into view.

‘They were proper people. Not everyone realises they’re volunteers who step away from their families and work to do this, but those heroes saved me, and it’s very humbling.

‘One of them even kept his hand on me in the boat, which meant something, as it was an emotional experience.’

Back at Newhaven lifeboat station, the casualty was assessed and, although cold from being intermittently submerged, was found to be well and requiring no further medical attention.

Dan Wittenberg, Volunteer lifeboat crew member and D class Helm, said: ‘This was a challenging rescue due to the powerful shore-dump conditions. The crew acted quickly to move the casualty clear of immediate danger and maintained constant communication and support throughout. Thankfully, we safely recovered our third crew member before returning to the lifeboat station with everybody safely on board.’

The volunteer crew washed down the lifeboat and refuelled it so it was ready for the next emergency.

Claire Rozario, Water Safety Officer at Newhaven RNLI, said: ‘When going for a walk along the coastline or on the beach, we urge the public to always check tide times and make sure they have enough time to return safely. People should also always carry a means of calling for help. If you are in danger or see someone in danger, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

ENDS

Pic credit: Newhaven RNLI

For further information, please contact:

Sam Haddad
Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Newhaven RNLI
07958 665056
[email protected] Or Stella Sims Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Newhaven RNLI [email protected]

Jess Curtis
Regional Communications Manager (South East)
07483 488243
[email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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