People cut off by tide rescued by Newhaven RNLI

Newhaven RNLI launched RNLI Severn Class 17-45 ‘The Duke of Kent’ after reports of to two people cut off by the tide between splash point and hope gap, east of Seaford Beach, from a fishing vessel in the area.

Once on scene, the Severn’s smaller Y Boat was launched to recover the casualties from shore, being more suited to navigate the rocky waters closer to shore. Once safely recovered, the casualties were transferred back to the Severn were they were checked over by our crew. Both casualties were then transferred to the safety of Seaford Beach.

In 2020, the RNLI conducted 351 tidal cut off rescues. There are many ways to stay safe while enjoying our coast. Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back, always take a means of calling for help and always check the tide times. It’s important to keep aware of your surroundings and the tide’s direction while out.

Sam Smith, Volunteer Crew Member, said: ‘Tide times and heights vary throughout the month, and can easily leave people stranded and requiring help. It’s important to always check the tide times before heading out to the coast. If you find yourself, or see anyone else in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard’.

Do you think you could join our lifesaving crew? We are recruiting ALB & ILB Volunteer Lifeboat Crew. Find out more here: www.rnli.org/news-and-media/2024/may/07/volunteer-crew-recruitment-begins-at-newhaven-rnli

Notes to editors

· Newhaven RNLI was established in 1803, and covers from Beachy Head to Brighton. It’s a modern afloat station and operates an all-weather Severn class lifeboat.

· ALB – All-Weather-Lifeboat

· Severn Class – Named after the River Severn, the Severn Class is the largest lifeboat in the RNLI fleet. The Severn can take on the worst sea conditions and comes into her own on long offshore search and rescues.

· Y-Boat – A small inflatable lifeboat which is carried on some of the RNLI’s All-Weather-Lifeboats. If needed, it can be deployed to get in closer to casualties, or closer to the shore.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Sam Carragher, RNLI Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or Hatti Mellor, National Media Manager on 01273 818012 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.