RNLI Newhaven bringing it home from Newquay
Volunteers of Newhaven Lifeboat travelled to Cornwall to train with RNLI Newquay. Alongside Newquay’s experienced inshore helms, testing conditions provided an exciting ride for the visitors and an opportunity for Newhaven crew to explore capabilities of the charity’s D class.
Volunteer crew from RNLI Newhaven have been progressing through an intensive D class training programme since June 2022. This additional training weekend from 18 to 19 November, offered an opportunity to enhance and consolidate existing work.
A two year trial of the D class ILB in Newhaven is scheduled to begin responding to operational taskings by HM Coastguard in early 2024. The ILB will operate alongside RNLI Newhaven’s existing all-weather lifeboat (ALB).
The RNLI’s D class ILB has been the workhorse of the charity for over 50 years. First introduced into the fleet in 1963, the design of this inflatable lifeboat continues to evolve to meet changes in demand and technology.
Andrew Trebilcock, RNLI Newquay helm, says: 'We launched in more than six feet of surf. Our Newhaven friends were able to feel the effectiveness of the D class in action. How it manages in punishing conditions and is essential to our live saving work, operating around rocks, shallow water and accessing confined locations.’
The D class is highly manoeuvrable and usually operates closer to shore than the Severn class ALB, largest in the RNLI fleet, that has operated out of Newhaven since 1999 with a host of her own benefits.
Andy Bull, RNLI Newhaven crew and mechanic, says: 'We couldn't have asked for more from our colleagues in Newquay. Everyone who assisted in our training made us so welcome, from lifeboat and shore 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. Moreover, the experienced Newquay helms, or ‘harbour rats’, as they’re known locally, generously shared their knowledge, giving us the confidence to take this asset and save more lives at sea along our own coastline.’
The RNLI’s livesaving work is powered by donations. Making a donation to the charity enables training of lifeboat crews and provides them with lifesaving equipment. RNLI life saving skills are passed through generations and around our coast to help save more lives at sea.
To make a donation to the RNLI’s winter appeal visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal.
Notes for the Editor
ALB – All-weather Lifeboat
ILB – Inshore Lifeboat
D class – the lifeboat was first introduced into the RNLI fleet in 1963, the design of the inflatable D class lifeboat continues to evolve to meet changes in demand and technology. She is highly manoeuvrable and usually operates closer to shore than our all-weather lifeboats. She comes into her own for searches and rescues in the surf, shallow water and confined locations - often close to cliffs, among rocks and even inside caves.
Severn class - as an all-weather lifeboat, the Severn class can take on the worst sea conditions and comes into her own on long offshore searches and rescues. She is designed to lie afloat, either at deep-water moorings or alongside at a berth. Following a tradition of naming our modern lifeboats after rivers, the Severn is named after the Severn River – the longest river in the UK.
Newhaven Lifeboat - there has been an RNLI lifeboat station in Newhaven since 1854 and the crew there have operated their current all-weather lifeboat, the
David and Elizabeth Acland for 24 years.
Newquay Lifeboat Station - operated an all-weather lifeboat for nearly 80 years until it closed in 1945. The station re-opened again in 1965. The crews have received several awards for gallantry and now operate two inshore lifeboats.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Roz Ashton, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07900 887423 or [email protected] or Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer on 07785 [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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