April 17 2013.


Volunteers from Newhaven's RNLI lifeboat station were launched yesterday at 15:55hrs after a 7.5 metre yacht informed Solent Coastguard that stay cables securing the mast had parted.
 
Newhaven's Severn Class lifeboat 'RNLB David and Elizabeth Acland' launched immediately and made its way through moderate seas to the vessel south of Birling Gap .

The three persons on board the yacht, which was on passage from Eastbourne to Brighton, were fully in control of the incident and making slow progress towards Newhaven. However, due to the mast being so insecure, having no fore and back stays, it was dangerous for them to be on deck manning the tiller.

After the Newhaven lifeboat arrived on scene, it launched its daughter 'Y' boat to safely transfer a lifeboat crew member on to the yacht. A towline was established and a steady tow was made towards the safety of Newhaven.

For their own safety the crew of the yacht were transferred to the lifeboat.
 
Once in the harbour and in calmer waters, the tow was parted and the yacht, under its own power, made to the marina for repairs to be made.

The lifeboat was ready for service at 18:15hrs.