Newhaven Lifeboat

Hear Nick Gentry chatting with Ashdown Radio’s Peter Suter about dogs, staying safe along our beautiful coastline, commitment and volunteering on the lifeboat for 40 years 🙌

Nick Gentry - East Sussex Today - Ashdown Radio Nick Gentry who has been presented the RNLI 40 years long service award for his commitment to the charity as volunteer crew for Newhaven Lifeboat

Make it a special day for the kids, join us for the Children’s Christmas Party on Sunday 17 December 🎉🎄

Our Children's Christmas Party 🎄🎅 tickets are now on sale.
Sunday 17th December.
Lots of fun & games, refreshments, raffle, face painting and a visit from Santa 🎅
Hurry.. tickets are selling fast!

www.ticketsource.co.uk/newhavenlifeboatevents

Newhaven Lifeboat volunteers, Andy Bull, Katherine Nash, Claire Townsend and Dan Wittenberg, travelled to Cornwall recently to train with RNLI Newquay. Alongside Newquay’s experienced inshore helms, testing conditions provided an exciting ride for our visiting team, who have been progressing through an intensive D class training programme since June 2022.

A two year trial of the D class inshore lifeboat (ILB) in Newhaven is scheduled to begin responding to operational tasking by HM Coastguard in early 2024. The ILB will operate alongside our 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.’

Newquay RNLI Lifeboats RNLI Lifeguards Newquay

📸 RNLI/Ann-Marie Dale

We are so grateful to our exceptional events team RNLI Newhaven Lifeboat Events for turning out yet another fun-filled fundraising moment for Newhaven Lifeboat 🎉 Thank you for coming and giving generously to help us save more lives at sea🎄🙌💙 Awesome start to winter spirit 🙏

Thanks for having us Newquay RNLI Lifeboats We learned so much from your incredible team. And had a lot of fun in the doing! Sharing your impressive knowledge with us has helped us connect those training dots. You’ll be in heart and mind when we launch on home surf 🙌

Newquay RNLI volunteers have provided vital training to colleagues from Newhaven Lifeboat in East Sussex, who are due to begin a trial of a D class inshore lifeboat next year and visited Newquay over the weekend (18/19 November) to gain first hand experience of operating this class of lifeboat in challenging conditions off the north coast of Cornwall.

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 capibilities 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'.

📷 Newhaven RNLI's four visiting crew (front) with volunteers from Newquay RNLI and the town's D class inshore lifeboat. Credit: Newquay RNLI/Ann-Marie Dale.

Today, a combination of Newhaven Lifeboat volunteer crew, launch authorities and press officers took part and represented Newhaven RNLI in the town’s commemorations this Remembrance Day, which included laying wreaths at sea and Memorial Green.

At sea, eight volunteer crew launched our Severn class ALB ‘David and Elizabeth Acland’ to just south of the harbour arm, to lay wreaths. We were joined by our friends Janice D***s and Rod Gentry from the National Coastwatch Institution, and also Geoff Rawlings, representing RAF Unit 1107 of the RAF Marine Craft Section which launched out of Newhaven.

These words were read by Nick Gentry from the Lifeboat over channel 73: ‘Let us remember all those who have died for their country in war and all who have died and suffered in the service of the peoples of the world.’

‘In particular let us remember those who served in Unit 1107 of the RAF Marine Craft Section which was established in 1939 to run high speed launches out of Newhaven to rescue aircrew who had crashed into or bailed out over the sea.’

‘Approximately 6,000 troops mainly Canadian but also including British Commandos and US Rangers left Newhaven in August 1942 tasked with capturing Dieppe for 24 hours as an experiment to test equipment and techniques for future landings in Europe. Only about 40% of those deployed survived the ill-fated raid mostly returning to Newhaven.’

We will remember them 🌹

Thank you! 🙌 from all the team 💛

Do you have spare time on your hands?
Would you like to become involved with a friendly team of fundraisers at the RNLI shop at West Quay Newhaven?
We are looking for someone who is good with the public, reliable and enthusiastic to to raise money for an amazing charity.
This has come about due to staff sickness and future staff long term holidays.
For more information, please either contact the Shop at West Quay, or contact myself, Trevor Sexton, shop manager on 07723 332557

📣 Danny Woodford launched on his 100th shout yesterday, Tuesday 7 November, at 2am. Congratulations Danny! 🎉

Since joining the crew in 2018, Danny has amassed a tidy set of volunteering figures: 100 service calls and 276 exercises afloat, totalling 758 hours at sea. He has been assessed in 37 competency units relating to his All-weather Lifeboat (ALB) crew plan and 25 units relating to his ALB Mechanic qualification. Danny is currently working through a further 18 competency units for Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) competency. Danny has additionally given even more of his time to attend crew and Mechanic training at the RNLI College in Poole. During Danny’s 5 years on the pager, he has been on a great variety of shouts; including local searches, vessels taking on water and medical evacuations.

Newhaven Coxswain, Lewis Arnold, says: 'Danny is a highly valued member of our team. In five years of volunteering on the Lifeboat, Danny's contribution at sea and on station has been everything the RNLI asks of its volunteers; Danny is dependable, trustworthy, courageous and selfless. Keep up the good work Danny. Here’s to the next five years!’

Danny Woodford

We were tasked on service at 1.45pm today to a paddle boarder in difficulty in Seaford. We launched into moderate seas and a strong Force 6 westerly. Our crew located the paddle boarder cut off by the tide east of Splash Point groyne.

This was Newhaven Lifeboat's second service launch of the weekend. On Saturday 4 November our volunteers were paged at 4am to search for someone in the water in Seaford bay, who was later located safe on the beach.

Newhaven’s Coxswain, Lewis Arnold, says: 'Given the sea state and surf conditions, the safest extraction of the paddle boarder was from the shore by Newhaven Coastguard CRT Rescue.’

The lifeboat stood by whilst this took place. Our thanks to Martin Sinnock for these super shots of our magnificent Severn in action today.

Our dedicated volunteers also launched on training this morning, as usual.

Wishing you all a safe, and hopefully, somewhat drier week.



📸 Martin Sinnock

You can add your loved one’s name to a lifeboat that has served at our station.

The lifeboat, Eric’s Legend, is part of the RNLI relief fleet and steps in around the UK, whenever our lifeboats need maintenance or repair, to ensure our crews can continue to be there, 24/7.

Eric’s Legend entered service in 2021 and has already helped 97 people while providing emergency cover, including at Newhaven Lifeboat station in March this year.

Add the name of someone special to this lifeboat and your loved one will join crews across the UK on rescue missions: https://rnli.social/47bMejG (Dungeness)

We urge residents and visitors to stay safe along our coast. Storm Ciarán is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to southern England from this evening, Wednesday 1st November.

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning with winds forecast to reach more than 80mph in coastal locations along the south coast of England, with some exposed areas seeing 90mph gusts.

The expected strong winds will also bring heavy rain posing a safety risk to those visiting the coast. The RNLI, is encouraging people to exercise extreme caution if visiting the shoreline, especially along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers.

RNLI SE Regional Water Safety Lead, Guy Addington said: ‘This rough weather could make visiting our coasts around the south east of England treacherous and bring very dangerous sea conditions.

‘Sadly, around 150 people lose their lives accidentally in UK and Irish waters each year and over half of these people didn’t plan on ever entering the water. We know it can look like fun to get up close to the water’s edge and take selfies or dodge the waves, but the sea is unpredictable at the best of times, and this is much more dangerous than it looks.

‘While people may want to experience extreme weather around the coast, we would strongly advise against doing so. It is not worth risking your life, so we urge people to respect the water and watch from a safe distance.

‘If you see someone else in danger in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. If you have something that floats that they can hold on to, throw it to them. Don’t go in the water yourself – too many people drown trying to save others.’

The RNLI advice is:
• Stay well back from stormy seas and cliff edges.
• Check tide times before you go.
• Take a phone with you.
• In an emergency call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.


📸Stephen Duncombe

Congratulations to Lee Blacknell our Second Coxswain who has been awarded his 20 years RNLI Long Service Medal. Hard earned and well deserved.

Twenty-Year Service Award For Newhaven RNLI Volunteer An RNLI volunteer at Newhaven has been awarded a long service medal marking twenty years with the charity.

Thanks to Seaford Head Golf Course who hosted our Golf Day this weekend, raising an outstanding £3,797.75 in donations for Newhaven Lifeboat. We are very grateful for your support and congratulate you for laying on such tremendous weather and a memorable day! Our appreciation goes out to all the members and players whose generosity will help us in our mission to save more lives at sea.

Last, but not least, thanks to all our volunteer team at Newhaven RNLI who made this event happen and Andy Piesonline for your speech and play, we'll let you be the judge as to which were the greater.

RNLI Newhaven Lifeboat Events

Shouts have continued in great variety this month. We have been launched on service 4 times in October to date, including a medical evacuation from a beam trawler, and a small boat at risk of being run aground in Seaford Bay.

On Saturday 7th October shortly after midnight, Newhaven's Severn class All-weather Lifeboat 'David and Elizabeth Acland’ launched to a mayday from a fishing trawler requiring urgent medical assistance. The lifeboat made best speed to the vessel, located 22NM south west of Newhaven. They arrived on scene at 1.15am and were soon after joined by Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 175, also tasked.

The Lifeboat transferred casualty care trained crew onto the casualty vessel. The beam trawler had a total of seven people on board, including the casualty. The coastguard helicopter also lowered a winchman onto the beam trawler. Once both teams had assessed the casualty’s condition, a course was set for Shoreham Harbour. Three lifeboat crew remained on board the beam trawler for transit to Shoreham. The lifeboat arrived back at Newhaven Harbour at 9:30am.

Later on that day, David and Elizabeth Acland launched again to a small boat drifting towards the shore off Tide Mills, Seaford. Due to the proximity of the surrounding surf boats, the vessel was at risk of being run aground. The Coxswain deemed it appropriate to conduct a tow of the vessel to safety.

Our volunteers have been pretty busy lately. September took Newhaven Lifeboat on ten shouts and a great variety of incidents, including a vessel on fire with four people and one dog on board, a 25-metre fishing trawler broken down in the Channel shipping lanes, a yacht taking on water with storm damage beneath the cliffs at Cuckmere, walkers cut off by the rising tide and a search for a missing swimmer.

We've also featured on BBC2’s 'Saving Lives at Sea’, now in it's 8th series. You can catch-up with that on iPlayer - episode two. Newhaven’s appearance follows the story of a kayaker’s fishing expedition that takes a turn for the worse, with talking-heads from crew Alex Beckett, James Johnson and Coxswain Lewis Arnold.

In an interview for the Sussex Express, Alex said: “Saving Lives at Sea has been instrumental in highlighting the bravery and commitment of the thousands of volunteers around the coast’ and he comments that it has, ‘undoubtedly helped raise further awareness of the risks that come with being out on the water - education is a core part of the RNLI's approach to saving lives.’

Huge congratulations to Nick Gentry, we’re so lucky to have you 🎉👏 Thank you for everything you do and give for Newhaven Lifeboat

Nick Gentry's 40 years of volunteer service for Newhaven RNLI Nick Gentry has been presented the RNLI 40 years long service award for his commitment to the charity as volunteer crew for Newhaven Lifeboat. Nick achieved this outstanding milestone in February of this year.

Lifeboat legend Nick Gentry floats through 40 years of heroic service Nick Gentry, a lifelong Newhaven resident, has marked a remarkable milestone by completing 40 years of dedicated service with the Royal National Lifeboat Instit

Perilous rescue after yacht's sails ripped in thunderstorm The crew of a yacht caught in a thunderstorm in Sussex made a worried call to the coastguard after their vessel suffered ripped sails and engine…

1 Hour until a BRAND NEW episode of Saving Lives at Sea!

Who's ready to see RNLI Poole Lifeboat Station, Whitby RNLI lifeboat , Swanage RNLI Lifeboat Station and Newhaven Lifeboat in action?

Look what’s landed in the shop today! and it’s getting personal 😉


RNLI Newhaven Gift Shop

Tonight, a BRAND NEW episode of Saving Lives at Sea hits your screen. Be sure to watch as we bear witness to ordinary people doing extraordinary things!

TONIGHT - 8PM - BBC TWO

We’ll be tuning in to BBC Two at 8pm tonight. Will you join us?

Happy 50th John Simcock You sure eat better than you look😉 Perhaps that was the good work of Beth Kitchen and Cakery We certainly enjoyed your 'surprised and speechless', well, just for a moment. Have a good one! 🍻

Great evening team and well organised Andy Piesonline

Working from a photo of her four year old son watching the Newhaven Lifeboat crew afloat, Mandy of The Ark UK painted this charming picture. Her little lad is now fifteen. A special moment in time well captured. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Creative Newhaven

TONIGHT 8pm on BBC Two

Newhaven Lifeboat to feature on Series 8 of Saving Lives at Sea: Meet featured crew member Alex Beckett The RNLI station will feature on the BBC2 episode on Thursday, October 5, at 8pm.

8pm BBC2 Thursday 5 October…

Kayak-tastrophe! Newhaven RNLI makes a splash on 'Saving Lives at Sea' As the eighth season of 'Saving Lives at Sea' makes its return to BBC2 this Thursday, Newhaven RNLI steps into the spotlight in the second episode, airing on Thursday, October 5th at 8 pm. This captivating episode unravels the gripping narrative of a kayaker's fishing expedition gone awry.Situated a...

🎉 Congratulations to Dan Wittenberg who passed out as Navigator today 👏

Practical and theoretical training was to culminate in a training assessment session scheduled tonight, however, at 11.18am today, the Pager went off.

Dan says, 'That plan looked to be going sideways. But, we managed to get everything done during the service call to assist a broken down yacht. Having to do everything in real time on a shout was hard, but rewarding.’

Dan’s first two years volunteering since joining the Newhaven crew in September 2021 have been all steady progress. Dan had his Pager after only two months and earned himself Substantive Crew a year later in December 2022.

'Thanks as ever to Nick Gentry for the top-notch training, and the rest of the crew for making the time to get afloat - even when the focus has been on navigation training.’

Nice one Dan, all the team here wishing you all the best in your coming shouts as Navigator. Well done.



📸 Olly Rose

⚠️Spring Tides ⚠️ If you're planning to go out walking, crafting or swimming on the coast this weekend, please CHECK THE TIDE times at Met Office before you set out to avoid getting cut off by rising water. If you do get into trouble on the water or see anyone else in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

📸Daniel Moon



Newhaven Coastguard Eastbourne Coastguard Frankie's Beach Cafe Southdown National Park Walk The Chalk Sussex Modern Eastbourne Walking Festival Towner Eastbourne

Those Mermaids have only gone and done it again! Luminous hats and neoprene mitts off to the lot of you for raising a staggering figure for the fourth year in a row.

Donations made on the beach and via JustGiving combine to over £2500 for Newhaven Lifeboat. A further figure of approximately £1000 in monthly donations is also made by the Mermaids to the RNLI. From the bottom of our salty hearts, thank you.

Crew joined in healthy numbers for this years celebratory swim. We were all a little bowled over by Roger Cohen MBE, Lifeboat Operations Manager, who produced something akin to a bath mat on the beach, confusion turned to amusement, but Roger had the last laugh as others tottered on the cold stones, whilst he dried off in comfort. Well done Roger!

Please remember to follow the safety conscious example of the Seaford Mermaids. Swim with a buddy (or several), kit appropriately, before entering the water get local knowledge for the safest place to take a dip and check weather and tide forecast Met Office

If you would like to contribute to this fundraising effort for Newhaven Lifeboat, donations can be made here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rnli-newhaven-lifeboat-station-2023

📸 Thanks to Andy Cook, John Simcock and Emmeline

RNLI Newhaven Lifeboat Events

Series 8 begins this week! Thursday’s at 8pm on BBC2 📺 Catch Newhaven in Episode 2 on Thursday 5 October

RNLI crew to feature in BBC Saving Lives At Sea programme again An RNLI team will feature in another episode of BBC’s Saving Lives at Sea next week.

We still have spaces for our Quiz night.. come along for a fun evening for all, Teams of up to 6, £12 per head including food!
Please email us to book. [email protected] or call / whatsapp 07896 027024

Tomorrow! Saturday 7.30am on Seaford Beach opposite the Buckle car park 🧜‍♀️ See you there 🏊‍♀️

The Seaford Mermaids invite like-minded souls to join them for an RNLI Newhaven fundraising swim on Saturday 23 September at 7.30am on Seaford beach, opposite the Buckle car park.

This Mermaids fundraising event has become something of an annual tradition, raising vital funds for our Lifeboat and promoting the generous safety conscious spirit of these open water swimmers.

Swim in company or come for a cuppa (flasks and bakes recommended!). Our volunteer crew will be taking the plunge again!

You can donate directly to Newhaven RNLI with cash or card on the beach, or donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rnli-newhaven-lifeboat-station-2023

RNLI Newhaven Lifeboat Events Frankie's Beach Cafe

Thank you to everyone who visited us on Saturday for our Open Day. It was great to welcome so many into the Station and on board the Lifeboat. Thank you also to PlayWell Productions for excellent entertainment, we wish you all the best for . Nice work RNLI Newhaven Lifeboat Events, all the Newhaven volunteer team and crew 🙌

The Seaford Mermaids invite like-minded souls to join them for an RNLI Newhaven fundraising swim on Saturday 23 September at 7.30am on Seaford beach, opposite the Buckle car park.

This Mermaids fundraising event has become something of an annual tradition, raising vital funds for our Lifeboat and promoting the generous safety conscious spirit of these open water swimmers.

Swim in company or come for a cuppa (flasks and bakes recommended!). Our volunteer crew will be taking the plunge again!

You can donate directly to Newhaven RNLI with cash or card on the beach, or donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rnli-newhaven-lifeboat-station-2023

RNLI Newhaven Lifeboat Events Frankie's Beach Cafe

We're very pleased to announce that performers from the new folk musical WITH COURAGE will be performing a selection of songs at our Open Day!

When: Saturday 16 September
Where: Newhaven Lifeboat Station.

Featuring performers from War Horse, The Jungle Book, and Brief Encounter, the show is being developed to celebrate the RNLI's 200th anniversary. The past and present intertwine telling tales of bravery, love and sacrifice.

Performances will run throughout the day: 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm.

No booking or ticket required, just turn up and enjoy!

Written by Jon Hare (Charming; The First Chris Moose), and directed by award-winning director Charlotte Westenra (Agreement; The Wicker Husband), the show is being developed to communities and venues around the South Coast during 2024-25.

Chat with the team, who will be keen to hear your feedback as this new show continues to develop.

PlayWell Productions

With Courage by Jon Hare (mini concert) | With Courage The past and present intertwine in this new folk musical telling tales of bravery, love and sacrifice. Come along to the RNLI Newhaven Open Day to enjoy a selection of songs from new musical being written in celebration and commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI.