Leaking lifeboat in harbour dash

THE Newhaven Lifeboat was forced to speed for harbour when it started taking in water during a dramatic air-sea rescue.

Both Newhaven and Eastbourne Lifeboats were scrambled when the dive boat Sarah Jane broke down while two divers were underwater on Thursday last week.

One of the divers surfaced within sight of the boat, which was 21 miles off the Newhaven coast, and attempted to swim to it but failed due to exhaustion.

Newhaven Lifeboat spokeswoman Pat Johns said: 'The dive boat skipper let go of the anchor in the hope that he would drift closer to his position and eventually the diver reached the dive boat - but by then the other diver was presumed missing.

'Dover Coastguard updated the call to a Mayday situation as the boat's position was in the shipping lanes.'

The Coastguard helicopter arrived at the scene, located the missing diver, lifted him from the water and lowered him safely on to the Eastbourne Lifeboat. Both the divers were unharmed.

However, the drama continued when the Newhaven Lifeboat crew discovered they were taking in water as they connected a tow line to the dive boat.

When the water pumps also malfunctioned a decision was made to pass the tow to the Eastbourne Lifeboat and make haste to Eastbourne's Sovereign Harbour.

The Hastings Lifeboat was also radioed to stand by in case it was necessary to abandon the Newhaven Lifeboat.

Newhaven coxswain Ian Johns said: 'We had a major leak in the engine room and had to transfer everything to the Eastbourne Lifeboat.'

It was discovered seals around the propeller shaft were letting in water and the only way to stop it was for the boat to maintain a forward motion.

'We found that if we went full ahead it reduced the amount of water going into the boat,' said Mr Johns.

He stressed the Lifeboat was never in danger of sinking due to its design. It consists of seven airtight compartments which can be shut off from the rest so that the entire craft does not become waterlogged.

On arrival at Eastbourne the Lifeboat, called the David and Elizabeth Acland, was lifted out of the water by crane for emergency repairs. It will then undergo its three-yearly refit at Plymouth and return to Newhaven at the start of the New Year.

Until her return the relief Lifeboat Beth Sell will be stationed at Newhaven.