July 17 2014.


Newhaven’s Severn Class relief lifeboat ‘RNLB Volunteer Spirit’ was launched yesterday at 5:50pm to search for a paraglider who was believed to have ditched into the sea.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public. Birling Gap & Newhaven Coastguard teams started a search which was focused around the Hope Gap area.

The Coastguards managed to locate the casualty on the beach under the cliffs who was not in the water, but was cut off by the tide.

Newhaven lifeboat made best speed and once at the location, the lifeboat launched it’s small inflatable Y boat with two crew on board. The Y boat then went ashore to recover the casualty who was uninjured. The paraglider was taken to Seaford beach where Coastguards were waiting.

Newhaven lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service at 7:10pm


Picture credit Barry Johnson