The RNLI took operational responsibility of the station in 1854, and is now celebrating its 200th Anniversary which fell on March 4.
The crews have been awarded 19 medals for gallantry in it’s 221 year history. Most recently, Coxswain Ian Johns was awarded the MBE for services to Maritime Safety in the New Years honours in 2012.
On Saturday March 9, the volunteers of Newhaven Lifeboat are inviting the public to join them in their celebrations.
Hosted at The Marine Workshops, Newhaven, tickets are £25 per person and include a welcome drink, food by Sussex's very own Humble Pie and music by local live band Double Tap.
Tickets to the ‘RNLI Newhaven 200th Anniversary Party’ are available on Eventbrite. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the crew, both past and present, and discover the history of the RNLI.
13. Duke of Kent visits on the station's 200th anniversary
Newhaven Lifeboat station has been awarded Vellum by the charity in 1928 for its Centenary, a Commemorative Vellum in 1953 for its 150 years, and in 2003 a Vellum to commemorate the completion of 200 years’ service. On 15 May 2003 HRH The Duke of Kent visited the station, unveiling a plaque to commemorate this 200th Anniversary. Photo: Newhaven RNLI
14. Boathouse
The boathouse has evolved with the lifeboats it has launched. The slipway is remembered by many with great fondness. The station moved with the opportunities of modernisation. Gas and water were laid in 1896, electricity in 1920. Photo: Newhaven RNLI
15. Crew, 1910
Crew of the ‘Michael Henry IV’ in 1910, as above, taken at the back of what used to be the Harbour Master’s Boathouse. Photo: Newhaven RNLI
16. Boats run ashore, 1914
The ketch rigged barge ‘Jachin’ (on the beach) and behind her, the brigantine ‘Katherine’, both run ashore in Seaford Bay, 1914. Newhaven’s ‘Sir Fitzroy Clayton’ attended and rescued both crews from the vessels. The ‘Jachin’ was salvaged and went on in service and later as a private boat until 1950. Photo: Newhaven RNLI