June 7 2013.


Volunteers from Newhaven's RNLI Lifeboat Station were launched yesterday at 12:37 to a report of an inflatable craft being blow out to sea off Seaford beach by a strong Northerly breeze. A family member on the beach had raised the alarm.

Newhaven's Severn Class lifeboat David and Elizabeth Acland proceeded at full speed to the inflatable casualty, which by this time was almost a mile offshore. Thankfully the casualties had managed to get the attention of the crew of a passing yacht Demetrius who kindly stood by until the lifeboat arrived on scene.

Once the lifeboat was alongside the three people, who were cold but otherwise unharmed, were bought on board the lifeboat and the inflatable craft was recovered. The casualties and their boat were then repatriated with their family on Seaford beach, where coastguards were waiting to offer safety advice. The lifeboat then returned to station.

Coxswain, Paul Legendre, explained: 'The three men were very lucky in the strong northerly breeze as they were getting blow out to sea at a fast rate. We would always recommend that the absolute minimum safety equipment is life jackets as this situation could have so easily have turned into a tragedy.'

'Please always take care with inflatable craft when there is a strong northerly breeze and if possible have a line from the inflatable to the beach.'