May 2 2012.


 Volunteers from Newhaven's RNLI lifeboat station were launched at 15:30 on Sunday 29th April to a suspected person in the water east of Newhaven breakwater and again on Monday 31st April to a vessel with an overheated engine.

On Sunday 29th Newhaven's all-weather Seven Class lifeboat 'RNLB David and Elizabeth Acland proceeded at speed to the reported person in the water to the east of Newhaven breakwater. Several members of the public had made 999 calls. Two crew were in dry suits ready to enter the water and the inflatable Y boat was also poised to be deployed. Once on scene it was confirmed that it was not a person in the water but a children's plastic car with a red handle which looked like the top part of a life jacket. The toy car was recovered to prevent future calls. A lifeboat spokesman thanked the members of the public who called in with their concerns. If in doubt, always contact the coastguard.

On Monday the lifeboat was called out at 18:50 to a 40ft converted fishing vessel with four persons on board, which had suffered a mechanical failure 2.5 miles south west of Newhaven. A lifeboat crew member went on board the casualty vessel. A tow was established and the casualty was safely returned to Newhaven harbour. Those aboard the casualty vessel thanked the Newhaven lifeboat crew for a "rescue very neatly done!" The lifeboat then returned to station at 20:35.