Newhaven Lifeboat Station records busiest ever year

The volunteer crew launched to a total of 69 call outs in 2020, ending with two calls on New Year’s Eve, the RNLI said.

The first of the back-to-back calls was at 2.56pm on Thursday December 31 to assist HM Coastguard and Sussex Police after suspected stowaways were discovered aboard the docked Cote d’Albatre Transmanche Ferry which had arrived from Dieppe, France, a spokeswoman confirmed.

She added: “Coxswain Lewis Arnold launched the Y boat with two crew aboard. The inflatable approached the ferry to confirm no casualties were pier-side, below the dock.

“The lifeboat remained on stand-by while Sussex Police and HM Coastguard completed their search.”

Shortly before being stood down, RNLI Newhaven received a new launch request to a day boat which had broken down, one mile south east of Newhaven East Pier, with three people on board, the spokeswoman said.

She added: “The David and Elizabeth Acland Severn class lifeboat with a crew of six launched at 5.20pm into a smooth sea state, wind force 4, from the west.

“The lifeboat located the casualty vessel in darkness and towed it back to Newhaven harbour.

“Pagers were back on at 6.39pm.”

Lewis Arnold said: “It has been an unprecedented year for us all. Despite enormous personal challenges, Newhaven crew have made themselves available to respond to more launch requests than ever before.”