Newquay RNLI crew train Newhaven colleagues for inshore lifeboat trial

There has been an RNLI lifeboat station in Newhaven since 1854 and the crew there have operated their current all-weather lifeboat for 24 years. A trial of one of the charity's D class inshore lifeboats, to join their all-weather lifeboat, may prove to further complement their lifesaving capabilities along the south coast, where they are often called to rescue people stranded on the rocky coastline beneath the local white cliffs.

Newquay RNLI helm on the town's two inshore lifeboats, including the six-metre D class, Andrew Trebilcock said: 'With local RNLI volunteers at the helm, our Newhaven colleagues experienced operating the lifeboat in more than six-foot surf and were very impressed by the kind of punishing conditions the boat can deal with. We explained how vital the D class is to us for her effectiveness operating around rocks and how she earns her name as the 'workhorse' of the RNLI fleet'.

Andy Bull, crew and mechanic on Newhaven's 17-metre all-weather lifeboat said: 'We couldn't have asked for more from our colleagues at Newquay RNLI. Everyone who assisted in our training made us so welcome, from lifeboat crew to lifeguards and we can't thank them enough.

We've come away from our visit with a clearer understanding of the impressive abilities of the D class and have really seen what she's capable of. We have confidence that she could prove to be a great asset at Newhaven RNLI and help our lifeboat volunteers save more lives at sea along our local coastline'.


RNLI contacts
For more information please contact Andy Hobkinson, Newquay RNLI volunteer deputy lifeboat press Officer at [email protected] or 07880 507464. Or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected].

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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