May 11 2015.


Newhaven’s Severn Class lifeboat RNLB David and Elizabeth Acland and her volunteer crew were tasked four times in three hours yesterday.

1. Paraglider stuck on cliff face
The first call out was at 11:00am to a paraglider who was stuck part way down cliffs at Newhaven’s West Beach. The lifeboat proceeded to the position given. Two crew were readied with dry suits and the inflatable Y boat was prepared for launch.

Once off the beach near the scene, the inflatable Y boat was immediately launched and one crew member went to reassure the casualty who was stuck approximately 20ft from the ground. The paraglider's parachute was fixed on the cliff face and the weight of the paraglider meant he was firmly stuck in that position.

It is believed that other paragliders got a safety line onto the stricken paraglider so that he could not fall any further. Soon afterwards coastguards arrived on scene and the Newhaven Fire Brigade were also called.

A coastguard cliff rescue member was lowered down the cliffs who attached himself to the paraglider. The paraglider was then raised slightly so that the parachute could be released. The casualty was then safely lowered to the base of the cliff where lifeboat crew, fire brigade and a paramedic were waiting.

The paraglider was uninjured after what was a lucky escape.


2. Yacht with mechanical failure
As soon as the volunteer crew were released from the above incident they were tasked to a 28ft yacht with three persons on board which had suffered mechanical failure near Newhaven harbour.

Newhaven lifeboat was quickly on scene and a tow was established.

The casualty vessel was then safely towed into Newhaven harbour and placed into the care of marina staff.


3. Person in the water
Soon after getting back alongside, the lifeboat was again tasked to a person in the water off Saltdean. The lifeboat proceeded at full speed to the position given. Two crew were readied with dry suits and the inflatable Y boat was prepared for launch.

Once on scene the inflatable Y boat was immediately launched and a search commenced. Shortly afterwards it was confirmed that the casualty was safely ashore and the lifeboat was stood down.

The Y boat was recovered and the lifeboat headed for home.


4. Search for venerable person
As Newhaven lifeboat neared Newhaven harbour it’s volunteer crew were tasked to search for a missing venerable person between the East Pier and Seaford’s Splash Point. The two crew quickly got their dry suits back on and the Y boat was launched for the third time.

The search commenced at the East Pier and worked to the East. As the Y boat was searching the Tide Mills area on its way towards Splash Point at Seaford, they were stood down, as the person had been found safe and sound.

The Y boat was recovered and the lifeboat returned to station.


Coxswain Paul Legendre commented: "This was a busy spell for our volunteer crew and these incidents show the diverse range of taskings we can get in just a few hours."