November 15 2016.



Newhaven’s Severn Class lifeboat ‘RNLB David and Elizabeth Acland’ and her volunteer crew had just completed their remembrance service duties on Sunday when they were tasked to reports of a person in the water.

A local fishing vessel had spotted the person and contacted UK Coastguards. The lifeboat was immediately tasked. The lifeboats daughter inflatable Y boat was made ready.

The local fishing vessel offered assistance, helping the casualty aboard after he managed to swim across to them.

Newhaven lifeboat arrived at the position within a few minutes. The male casualty was transferred across to the lifeboat with his motorised wake boat, which had suffered a mechanical failure. He was wearing an appropriate winter wet suit, and was warm and unharmed.

The motorised wakeboard and its owner were then put ashore onto Seaford beach, where he had originally set off.

Lee Blacknell, Second Coxswain on Newhaven lifeboat said: ‘Firstly thanks to the local fishing vessel for their assistance. I would always suggest wherever possible that anyone that goes out on the water carry’s a waterproof VHF radio. With the temperatures dropping a simple incident like this can quickly become something more serious’.

Newhaven lifeboat then returned to station and was ready for service at 1.00pm.